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English Works 














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Roger Ascham 



ROGER ASCHAM 

Born 1 5 15 
Died 1568 



ROGER ASCHAM 



ENGLISH WORKS 

TOXOPHILUS 

REPORT OF THE AFFAIRES AND STATE OF GERMANY 

THE SCHOLEMASTER 



EDITED BY 

WILLIAM ALDIS ^yRIGHT, M.A., 

VICE-MASTER OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE 




Cambridge : 

at the University Press 

1904 






aonDon: C. J. CLAY and SONS, 

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, 

AVE MARIA LANE. 

©lasfloiii: 50, WELLINGTON STREET. 




1uip}ia: F. A. BROCKHAUS. 

i9eto ?iork: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. 

Bombaj! anli CalcutU: MACMILLAN AND CO., Ltd. 



\^ 



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[Al/ Rights reserved\ 



PREFACE. 



OF the three English Works by Ascham printed in this 
volume, the Toxophilus is probably the only one which 
appeared in his lifetime. It was first published in 1545 by 
Edward Whitchurch. A second edition printed by Thomas 
Marshe appeared in 157 1, and a third in 1589 printed by Abell 
leffes. As copies of the first edition vary slightly, it is as well 
to state that I have followed one in the Library of Jesus 
College, Cambridge, for which I have been indebted to the 
kindness of Mr Arthur Gray, with occasional reference to the 
Capell copy in Trinity Library. There are some readings in 
one of the copies in the British Museum (C. 31. c. 27) which 
I have found nowhere else. Mr Arber in his reprint appears 
to have followed this. 

The Report and Discourse of the affairs and state of Germany 
was written in 1553, about the time of the death of Edward 
the Sixth (see p. 138), but it was apparently not printed till 
after Ascham's death by John Daye, without date but probably 
about 1570. In Bohn's edition of Lowndes's Bibliographer's 
Manual it is said that ' there are two other editions, one 1570, 
the other without date,' but I can find no other record of 
them. In the Dictionary of National Biography it is said 
to have been republished in 1572, but I do not know on what 
authority. 

The Scholemaster first appeared in 1570, two years after 
Ascham's death, and was printed by John Daye. A second 
edition, also printed by Daye, was issued in 157 i, and a third 
in 1589, printed by Abell lefFes. Other editions in 1572, 
1573, 1579, and 1583, 'according to the bibliographers,' are 
mentioned in the Dictionary of National Biography. I have 
not been able to discover any trace of them, except that in the 
edition of 1571, although 1571 is on the title-page, we find 
1573 in the colophon. 

In giving the list of Errata in the early copies, I have not 
thought it necessary to record any but those which are mis- 
leading, nor have I mentioned the many printer's errors in 
Greek which have been silently corrected. On pages 72 and 



vi Preface 

i68 I have substituted Meste ' for 'lesse,' supposing it to be a 
misprint, but not feeling certain that it might not be a pro- 
vincialism if not an archaism, I have allow^ed ' lesse ' to stand 
on pages 215 and 258, though it is altered in the edition of 
1 571. In the curious Italian Pasquinade in the Report (p. 136) 
1 have been assisted by the kindness of Count della Rocchetta, 
Mr Arthur Tilley, and Mr E. G. W. Braunholtz, to whom are 
due the corrections which have brought it to its present form. 
It originally stood as follows : 

Interlocutor! Pasquillo et Romano. 

Pasq. T T Anno vn bel g'loco il Re^ et Vlmperatore 
Xj. P^^ terxo el Papi^ e giocano a Pr'imera. 
Rom, che ^'' e (T in vito ? Pasq. Italia tutta inter a. 
Rom. Chi vi V ha messa ? Pasq. // coglion del pastor e. 
Rom. Che tien in mano il Re F Pasq. Ponto mdgiere 

el Papa hacinquant* vno^ e se despera. 
Rom. Ce£sar che Ponto sa ? Pasq. lui sta a Primera 
Rom. che gli mama ? Pasq. danari a far sauore 

II Papa dice a vol^ e voll Partita : 

Casar Pensoso sta Sopra di questo^ 

teme a Scropir di trouar moneta 

II Re dico, no^ no^ Scoprite Presto^ 

che io tengo Ponto^ a guadagnar /' in vito 

r ho H danari^ et Cccsar se gli aspeta. 

H Tutti stanno a ve delta. 

Chi di lor dui guadagni. Rom. // Papa ? Pas. e fuora 
vinca chi vol^ lui Perda^ in sua maP hora. 

IF L,e Jmperatore anchora. 

Teme^ itien stretto^ ^ Scopre Piau le carte^ 
e qui^ la sorte gioca^ pin che /' Arte. 

H Metra questi indisparte. 

Stahiliio e nel del quelle^ che esserdS^ 

ne giona al nostra dic^ questo Sara questo e. 

W. A. W. 

ao October 1904. 




/ N 



Gualterus Haddonus 
Cantabrigien. 

Mittere qui celeres sumnia uelit arte sagittaSj 

Ars erit ex isto summa profe^fa libra. 
Quicquid habent arcus rigidiy nerui^ rotundi^ 

Sumere si Jibety hoc sumere fonte licet. 
Aschamus est author^ tnagnU que fecit Apollo 

Arte suoy magnum Pallas dff arte sua. 
Doda mair' dedit hiiCy dedit hiic mes do£ia libellu 

Qu(e uidet Ars Fsus uisa^ parata facit. 
Optimus hcec author quia tradidit optima scripta^ 

Conuenit hec uobis optima uelle sequi. 



To the moste graciouse^ and our most drad Souera'tgne lord^ 

Kyng Henrie the .viii^ by the grace of God^ kyng 

of Englande^ Fraunce and Irelande^ Defen 

der of the faythe^ and of the churche 

of Englande ^ also of Irelande 

in earth supreme head^ next vn 

der Christy he al health 

vltlor'ie^ and fe- 

licitie. 



WHAT tyme as, moste gracious Prince, your highnes this 
last year past, tooke that your moost honorable and 
vi6lorious iourney into Fraunce, accompanied with such a porte 
of the Nobilitie and yeomanrie of Englande, as neyther hath 
bene lyke knovven by experience, nor yet red of in Historic : 
accompanied also with the daylie prayers, good hartes, and 
vvilles of all and euery one your graces subie6tes, lefte behinde 
you here at home in Englande : the same tyme, I beinge at my 
booke in Cambrige, sorie that my litle habilitie could stretche 
out no better, to helpe forward so noble an enterprice, yet with 
my good vvylle, prayer, and harte, nothinge behynde hym that 
was formoste of all, conceyued a wonderful desire, bi the praier, 
wishing, talking, & communicatio that was in euery mas 
mouth, for your Graces moost viftoriouse retourne, to offer vp 
sumthinge, at your home cumming to your Highnesse, which 
shuld both be a token of mi loue and deutie toward your 

as 



Maiestie, & also a signe of my good minde and zeale tovvarde 
mi countrie. 

This occasion geuen to me at that time, caused me to take 
in hand againe, this litle purpose of shoting, begon of me before, 
yet not ended th.'i, for other studies more mete for that trade of 
liuinge, vvhiche God and mi frendes had set me vnto. But 
when your Graces moste ioifull &c happie vid:orie preueted mi 
dailie and spedie diligencie to performe this matter, I was com- 
pelled to vvaite an other time to prepare & offer vp this litle 
boke vnto your Maiestie. And whan it hath pleased youre 
Highenesse of your infinit goodnesse, &c also your most honor- 
able Counsel to know and pervse ouer the contentes, &c some 
parte of this boke, and so to alow it, that other me might rede 
it, throughe the furderaunce and setting forthe of the right 
worshipfull and mi Singuler good Master sir Vvilliam Pagette 
Knight, moost worthie Secretarie to your highr\es, & most 
open &c redie succoure to al poore honest learned mes sutes, I 
moost humblie beseche your Grace to take in good worthe this 
litle treatise purposed, bego, and ended of me onelie for this 
intent, that Labour, Honest pastime &c Vertu, might recouer 
againe that place and right, that Idlenesse, Vnthriftie gamning 
and Vice hath put them fro. 

And althoughe to haue written this boke either in latin or 
Greke (which thing I wold be verie glad yet to do, if 1 might 
surelie know your Graces pleasure there in) had bene more 
easier & Ht for mi trade in study, yet neuerthelesse, I supposinge 
it no point of honestie, that mi commodite should stop & 
hinder ani parte either of the pleasure or profite of manie, haue 
written this Englishe matter in the Englishe tongue, for 
Englishe men : where in this I trust that your Grace (if it 
shall please your Highnesse to rede it) shal perceaue it to be a 
thinge Honeste for me to write, pleasaunt for some to rede, and 
profitable for manie to folow, contening a pastime, honest for 
the minde, holsome for the body, fit for eueri man, vile for no 
man, vsing the day & ope place for Honestie to rule it, not 
lurking in corners for misorder to abuse it. Therfore I trust 
it shal apere, to be bothe a sure token of my zeele to set forvvarde 
shootinge, and some signe of my minde, towardes honestie and 
learninge. 



XI 



Thus I vvil trouble your Grace no longer, but 

with my daylie praier, I vviJ beseche God to 

preserue your Grace, in al health and feli- 

citie : to the feare and ouerthrovve 

of all your ennemies : to the 

pleasure, ioyfulnesse and 

succour of al your sub- 

iedles : to the vtter 

destrudlion 

of papi-c 

strie and heresie : to the con- 

tinuall setting forth of 

Goddes vvorde 

and his glo 

rye. 

Your Graces most 
bounden Scholer, 

Roger Ascham. 



m- TO ALL GENTLE MEN AND YOMEN OF 
ENGLANDE. 



Bias the wyse man came to Cresus the ryche kyng, on a 
tyme, when he was makynge newe shyppes, purposyng to 
haue subdued by water the out yles lying betwixt Grece and 
Asia minor : What newes now in Grece, saith the king to 
Bias ? None other newes, but these, sayeth Bias : that the 
yles of Grece haue prepared a wonderful companye of horsemen, 
to ouerrun Lydia withall. There is nothyng vnder heauen, 
sayth the kynge, that I woulde so soone wisshe, as that they 
durst be so bolde, to mete vs on the lande with horse. And 
thinke you sayeth Bias, that there is anye thyng which they 
wolde sooner wysshe, then that you shulde be so fonde, to mete 
them on the water with shyppes ? And so Cresus hearyng not 
the true newes, but perceyuyng the wise mannes mynde and 
counsell, both gaue then ouer makyng of his shyppes, and left 
also behynde him a wonderful example for all commune wealthes 
to folowe : that is euermore to regarde and set most by that 
thing whervnto nature hath made them moost apt, and vse hath 
made them moost fitte. 

By this matter I meane the shotyng in the long bowe, for 
English men : which thyng with all my hert I do wysh, and if 
I were of authoritie, I wolde counsel all the gentlemen and 
yomen of Englande, not to chaunge it with any other thyng, 
how good soeuer it seme to be : but that styll, accordyng to the 
oulde wont of England, youth shulde vse it for the moost 
honest pastyme in peace, that men myght handle it as a mooste 
sure weapon in warre. Other stronge weapons whiche bothe 



Xlll 

experience doth proue to be good, and the wysdom of the 
kinges Maiestie & his counsel prouydes to be had, are not 
ordeyned to take away shotyng : but y' both, not compared 
togither, whether shuld be better then the other, but so ioyned 
togither that the one shoulde be alwayes an ayde and helpe for 
the other, myght so strengthen the Realme on all sydes, that no 
kynde of enemy in any kynde of weapon, myght passe and go 
beyonde vs. 

For this purpose I, partelye prouoked by the counsell of 
some gentlemen, partly moued by the loue whiche I haue 
alwayes borne towarde shotyng, haue wrytten this lytle treatise, 
wherin if I haue not satisfyed any man, I trust he wyll the 
rather be content w^ my doyng, bycause I am (I suppose) the 
firste, whiche hath sayde any thynge in this matter (and fewe 
begynnynges be perfect, sayth wyse men) And also bycause 
yf I haue sayed a misse, I am content that any man amende it, 
or yf I haue sayd to lytle, any man that wyl to adde what hym 
pleaseth to it. 

My minde is, in profitynge and pleasynge euery man, to 
hurte or displease no man, intendyng none other purpose, but 
that youthe myght be styrred to labour, honest pastyme, and 
vertue, and as much as laye in me, plucked from ydlenes, 
vnthriftie games, and vice : whyche thing I haue laboured 
onlye in this booke, shewynge howe fit shootyng is for all 
kyndes of men, howe honest a pastyme for the mynde, howe 
holsome an excercise for the bodye, not vile for great men to 
vse, not costlye for poore men to susteyne, not lurking in holes 
and corners for ill men at theyr pleasure, to misvse it, but 
abiding in the open sight & face of the worlde, for good men if 
it fault by theyr wisdome to correal it. 

And here I woulde desire all gentlemen and yomen, to vse 
this pastime in suche a mean, that the outragiousnes of great 
gamyng, shuld not hurte the honestie of shotyng, which of his 
owne nature is alwayes ioyned with honestie : yet for mennes 
faultes oftentymes blamed vnworthely, as all good thynges haue 
ben, and euermore shall be. 

If any man woulde blame me, eyther for takynge such 
a matter in hande, or els for writing it in the Englyshe tongue, 
this answere I maye make hym, that whan the beste of the 



XIV 

realme thinke it honest for them to vse, I one of the meanest 
sorte, ought not to suppose it vile for me to write : And though 
to haue written it in an other tonge, had bene bothe more 
profitable for my study, and also more honest for my name, yet 
I can thinlce my labour wel bestowed, yf w' a little hynder- 
aunce of my profyt and name, maye come any fourther- 
aunce, to the pleasure or commoditie, of the gentlemen and 
yeomen of Englande, for whose sake I tooke this matter in 
hande. And as for y^ Latin or greke tonge, euery thyng is so 
excellently done in them, that none can do better : In the 
Englysh tonge contrary, euery thinge in a maner so meanly, 
bothe for the matter and handelynge, that no man can do 
worse. For therin the least learned for the moste parte, haue 
ben alwayes moost redye to wryte. And they whiche had 
leaste hope in latin, haue bene moste boulde in englyshe : when 
surelye euery man that is moste ready to taulke, is not moost 
able to wryte. He that wyll wryte well in any tongue, muste 
folowe thys councel of Aristotle, to speake as the comon people 
do, to thinke as wise men do : and so shoulde euery man vnder- 
stande hym, and the iudgement of wyse men alowe hym. 
Many English writers haue not done so, but vsinge straunge 
wordes as latin, french and Italian, do make all thinges darke 
and harde. Ones I communed with a man whiche reasoned 
the englyshe tongue to be enryched and encreased therby, 
sayinge : Who wyll not prayse that feaste, where a man shall 
drinke at a diner, bothe wyne, ale and beere ? Truely quod I, 
they be all good, euery one taken by hym selfe alone, but if you 
putrc Maluesye and sacke, read wyne and white, ale and beere, 
and al in one pot, you shall make a drynke, neyther easie to be 
knowen, nor yet holsom for the bodye. Cicero in folowyng 
Isocrates, Plato and Demosthenes, increased the latine tounge 
after an other sorte. This waye, bycause dyuers men y' write, 
do not know, they can neyther folowe it, bycause of theyr 
ignorauncie, nor yet will prayse it, for verye arrogauncie, ii. 
faultes, seldome the one out of the others companye. 

Englysh writers by diuersitie of tyme, haue taken diuerse 
matters in hande. In our fathers tyme nothing was red, but 
bookes of fayned cheualrie, wherin a man by redinge, shuld be 
led to none other ende, but onely to manslaughter and baudrye. 



XV 

Yf any man suppose they were good ynough to passe the time 
with ai, he is deceyued. For surelye vayne woordes doo woorke 
no smal thinge in vayne, ignoraunt, and younge mtndes, specially 
yf they be gyuen any thynge thervnto of theyr owne nature. 
These bolces (as I haue heard say) were made the moste parte 
in Abbayes, and Monasteries, a very lickely and fit fruite of 
suche an ydle and blynde kinde of lyuynge. 

In our tyme nowe, whan euery manne is gyuen to knowe 
muche rather than to liue wel, very many do write, but after 
suche a fashion, as very many do shoote. Some shooters take 
in hande stronger bowes, than they be able to mayntayne. 
This thyng maketh them sumtyme, to outshoote the marke, 
sumtyme to shote far wyde, and perchaunce hurte sume that 
looke on. Other that neuer learned to shote, nor yet knoweth 
good shafte nor bowe, wyll be as busie as the best, but suche 
onecomonly plucketh doune a syde, and crafty archers which 
be agaynst him, will be bothe glad of hym, and also euer ready 
to laye and bet with him : it were better for suche one to sit 
doune than shote. Other there be, whiche haue verye good 
bowe and shaftes, and good knowlege in shootinge, but they 
haue bene brought vp in suche euyl fauoured shootynge, that 
they can neyther shoote fayre, nor yet nere. Yf any man wyll 
applye these thynges togyther, [he] shal not se the one farre 
differ from the other. 

And I also amonges all other, in writinge this lytle treatise, 
haue folowed sume yonge shooters, whiche bothe wyll begyn to 
shoote, for a lytle moneye, and also wyll vse to shote ones or 
twise about the marke for nought, afore they beginne a good. 
And therfore did I take this little matter in hande, to assaye my 
selfe, and hereafter by the grace of God, if the iudgement of 
wyse men, that looke on, thinke that I can do any good, I maye 
perchaunce caste my shafte amonge other, for better game. 

Yet in writing this booke, some man wyll maruayle per- 
chaunce, why that I beyng an vnperfyte shoter, shoulde take in 
hande to write of makyng a perfyte archer : the same man 
peraduenture wyll maruayle, howe a whettestone whiche is 
blunte, can make the edge of a knife sharpe : I woulde y^ same 
man shulde consider also, that in goyng about anye matter, there 
be .iiii. thinges to be considered, doyng, saying, thinking and 



XVI 

perfedtnesse : Firste there is no man that doth so wel, but he 
can saye better, or elles summe men, whiche be now starke 
nought, shuld be to good : Agayne no man can vtter wyth his 
tong, so wel as he is able to imagin with his minde, & yet 
perfedlnesse it selfe is farre aboue all thinking. Than seing 
that saying is one steppe nerer perfe6lenesse than doyng, let 
euery man leue maruaylyng why my woorde shall rather 
expresse, than my dede shall perfourme perfedle shootinge. 

I truste no man will be offended with this litle booke 
excepte it be sume fletchers and bowiers, thinking hereby that 
manye that loue shootynge shall be taughte to refuse suche 
noughtie wares as they woulde vtter. Honest fletchers and 
bowyers do not so, and they that be vnhonest, oughte rather to 
amende them selues for doinge ill, than be angrie with me for 
sayinge wel. A fletcher hath euen as good a quarell to be 
angry w' an archer that refuseth an ill shaft, as a bladesmith 
hath to a fletcher y' forsaketh to bye of him a noughtie knyfe : 
For as an archer must be content that a fletcher know a good 
shafte in euery poynte for the perfe6ter makynge of it, So an 
honeste fletcher will also be content that a shooter knowe a good 
shafte in euery poynt for the perfiter vsing of it : bicause the 
one knoweth like a fletcher how to make it, the other knoweth 
lyke an archer howe to vse it. And seyng the knowlege is one 
in them bothe, yet the ende diuerse, surely that fletcher is an 
enemye to archers and artillery, whiche can not be content that 
an archer knowe a shafte as well for his vse in shotynge, as he 
hym selfe shoulde knowe a shafte, for hys aduauntage in sellynge. 
And the rather bycause shaftes be not made so muche to be 
solde, but chefely to be vsed. And seynge that vse and 
occupiyng is the ende why a shafte is made, the making as it 
were a meane for occupying, surely the knowelege in euery 
poynte of a good shafte, is more to be required in a shooter than 
a fletcher. 

Yet as I sayde before no honest fletcher wil be angry with 
me, seinge I do not teache howe to make a shafte whiche 
belongeth onelye to a good fletcher, but to knowe and handle a 
shafte, which belongeth to an archer. And this lytle booke 
I truste, shall please and profite both partes : For good bowes 
and shaftes shall be better knowen to the comoditie of al shoters, 



xvu 

and good shotyng may perchaunce be the more occupied to 
the profite of all bowyers and fletchers. And thus I praye 
God that all fletchers getting theyr lyuynge truly, and al 
archers vsynge shootynge honestly, and all maner of men 
that fauour artillery, maye lyue continuallye in 
healthe and merinesse, obeying theyr 
prince as they shulde, and louing 
God as they ought, to whom 
for al thinges be al ho- 
nour and glorye for 
euer. Amen 



TOXOPHILVS, 

The schole of shootinge 

conteyned in two 

bookes. 



To all Gentlemen and yomen of Englande^ 

pkasaunte for theyr pastyme to rede^ 

and profitable for theyr use 

to folow^ both in war 

and peace. 

The contentes of the first booke. 

>^ Earnest businesse ought to be refreshed wyth ho- 

neste pastyme. Fol. I. [p. i.J 

Shootyng moost honest pastyme. 3. [ 4-] 

The inuention of shootinge. 5* [ ^-3 

Shootynge fit for princes and greate men. 5. [ 7-] 

Shootyng, fit for Scholers and studentes. 8. [to.] 

Shootynge fitter for studentes than any musike 
or Instrumentes. 9* L ^^-J 

Youthe ought to learne to singe. Ii. [ T4.] 



XIX 

No maner of man doth or can vse to muche shoo- 
tynge. 14. [p. 18.] 

Agaynste vnlawfuU gammes and namelye car- 
des and disc. 16. 

Shootyng in war. 24. 

Obedience the best propertie of a Souldyar. 25. 

Reasons and authorites agaynste shootynge in 
war with the confutacion of the same. 26. 

God is pleased with stronge wepons and valy- 
aunt feates of war. 28. 

The commoditie of Shootyng in war throughe 
the Histories Greke and Latin, Sc all nations Chri- 
sten and Hethen. 29. 

Vse of shootynge at home causethe stronge shoo- 
tinge in warre. 41. 

Vse of shootyngeat home, except men be apteby 
nature, and connynge by teachyng, doth litle good 
at all. 49. 

Lacke of learnynge to shoote causethe Englande 
lacke many a good archer. 46. 

In learnyng any thyng, a man must couete to be 
best, or els he shal neuer attayne to be meane. 47. 





21.] 




32-] 




33-] 




35.] 




39-] 




4I-] 




55-] 




58.] 




62.] 




63.] 



XX 



A Table conteyning 
the seconde booke. 



By knowing 

• thinges belo- -^' 

ging to shoo- 

tyng. 



Hittyng the 
niarke, by 




/Eraser 
' Proper for Shotingloue 
euerye sere j Strynge 
manes vse, Bowe 
VShaftes 



Wether 



General to 
I all men. \^^^^^^ 



By hande- 

linge thyn- 

""ges beloging 

to shotyng. 



without 
a man. 



within 
a man. 



IStandinge 
Nockynge 
Drawinge 
Holdynge 
Lowsinge. 

cBolde corage. 



Auoydynge 
all affedion. 



TOXOPHILVS, 

A, 



Cf)e firsit Ijofee of tfte ^d)o\t of sftotmg:* 



Philologus. Toxophilus. 

PHILOLOGUS. You studie to sore Toxophile. TOX. I 
wil not hurt my self ouermoche I warraut you. PHI. A 
Take hede you do not, for we Physicions saye, that it is 
nether good for the eyes in so cleare a Sunne, nor yet holsome 
for ye bodie, so soone after meate, to looke vpon a mans 
boke. TOX. In eatinge and studyinge I will neuer folowe anye 
Physike, for yf I dyd, I am sure I shoulde haue small pleasure in 
the one, and lesse courage in the other. But what newes draue 
you hyther I praye you ? PHI. Small newes trulie, but that as 
I came on walkynge, I fortuned to come w*^ thre or foure that 
went to shote at the pryckes : And when I sawe not you amonges 
them, but at the last espyed you lokynge on your booke here 
so sadlye, I thought to come and holde you with some com 
munication, lest your boke shoulde runne awaye with you. 
For me thought by your waueryng pace & earnest lokying, 
your boke led you, not you it. TOX. In dede as it chaunced, 
my mynde went faster then my feete, for I happened here to 
reade in Phedro Platonis^ a place that entretes wonderfullie of 

the nature of soules, which place (whether it were , „, , 
_ , ' ^ r r.1 11 ^" Phedro. 

for the passynge eloquence or rlato, and the 

Greke tongue, or for the hyghe and godlie description of 

the matter, kept my mynde so occupied, that it had no leisure 

to loke to my feete. For I was reding howe some soules being 

well fethered, flewe alwayes about heaue and heauenlie matters, 

other some hauinge their fethers mowted awaye, and droupinge, 

sanke downe into earthlie thinges. PHI. I remebre the place 

verie wel, and it is wonderfullie sayd of Plato, & now I se it 



2 'Toxophilus. A. 

was no maruell though your fete fayled you, seing your minde 
flewe so fast. TOX. I am gladde now that you letted me, 
for my head akes w^ loking on it, and bycause you tell me so, 
I am verye sorie y^ I was not with those good feloes you spake 
vpon, for it is a verie faire day for a ma to shote in. PHI. And 
me thinke you were a great dele better occupied & in better 
c5panie, for it is a very faire daye for a ma to go to his boke 
in. TOX. Al dayes and wethers wil serue for that purpose, 
and surelie this occasio was ill lost. PHI. Yea but clere 
wether maketh clere mindes, and it is best as I suppose, to 
spend ye best time vpon the best thinges : And me thought you 
shot verie wel, and at that marke, at which euery good scoler 
shoulde moste busilie shote at. And I suppose it be a great 
dele more pleasure also, to se a soule flye in Plato, then a shafte 
flye at the prickes. I graunte you, shoting is not the worst 
thing in the world, yet if we shote, and time shote, we ar not 
like to be great winners at the length. And you know also we 
scholers haue more ernest & weightie matters in hand, nor 
we be not borne to pastime & pley, as you know wel ynough 
jiyr r- - /r ^^° sayth. TOX. Yet the same man in the 

same place Philologe^ by your leue, doth admitte 
holsome, honest and manerlie pastimes to be as necessarie 
to be migled with sad matters of the minde, as eating 
& sleping is for the health of the body, and yet we be borne 

for neither of bothe. And Aristotle him selfe 
n'lwJ'fo'T sayth, yt although it were a fonde & a chyldish 

thing to be to ernest in pastime & play, yet doth 
he affirme by the authoritie of the oulde Poet Epicharmus, 

that a man may vse play for ernest matter sake. 
^^" - " • ^j^j ij^ ^j^ other place, y' as rest is for labour, & 

medicines for helth, so is pastime at tymes for 
sad & weightie studie. PHI. How moche in this matter is to 
be giuen to ye au£toritie either of Aristotle or Tullie, I ca not 
tel, seing sad me may wel ynough speke merily for a merie 
matter, this I am sure, whiche thing this faire wheat (god saue 
it) maketh me remebre, y*^ those husbadmen which rise erliest, 
and come latest home, and are content to haue their diner and 
other drinckinges, broughte into the fielde to them, for feare ot 
losing of time, haue fatter barnes in haruest, than they whiche 
will either slepe at none time of the daye, or els make merie 



T'he schole of shoting. 3 

w' their neighbours at the ale. And so a scholar yt purposeth 
to be a good husband, and desireth to repe and enioy much 
fruite, of learninge, muste tylle and sowe thereafter. Our 
beste seede tyme, whiche be scholers, as it is verie tymelye, and 
whan we be yonge : so it endureth not ouerlonge, and therfore 
it maye not be let slippe one houre, oure grounde is verye 
harde, and full of wedes, our horse wherw* we be drawen very 
wylde as Plato sayth. And infinite other mo t pL j 
lettes whiche wil make a thriftie scholer take 
hede how he spedeth his tyme in sporte and pleye. TOX. That 
Aristotle and Tullie spake ernestlie, and as they thought, the 
ernest matter which they entreate vpon, doth plainlye proue. 
And as for your husbandrie, it was more probablie tolde with 
apt wordes propre to y^ thing, then throughly proued with 
reasons belongynge to our matter. For contrariwise I herd my 
selfe a good husbande at his boke ones saye, that to omit studie 
somtime of the daye, and sometime of the yere, made asmoche 
for the encrease of learning, as to let the lad lye sometime 
falloe, maketh for the better encrease of corne. This we se, 
yf the lande be plowed euerye yere, the corne commeth thinne 
vp: the eare is short, the grayne is small, and when it is brought 
into the barne and threshed, gyueth very euill faul. So those 
which neuer leaue poring on their bokes, haue oftetimes as 
thinne inuention, as other poore me haue, and as smal wit and 
weight in it as in other mens. And thus youre husbandrie me 
thinke, is more like the life of a couetouse snudge that oft very 
euill preues, then the labour of a good husbad that knoweth 
wel what he doth. And surelie the best wittes to lernino- must 
nedes haue moche recreation and ceasing from their boke, or 
els they marre them selues, whe base and dompysshe wittes 
can neuer be hurte with continuall studie, as ye se in luting, 
that a treble minikin string must alwayes be let down, but at 
suche time as when a man must nedes playe : when ye base 
and dull stryng nedeth neuer to be moued out of his place. 
The same reason I finde true in two bowes that I haue, wherof 
the one is quicke of cast, tricke, and trime both for pleasure 
and profyte : the other is a lugge slowe of cast, folowing the 
string, more sure for to last, then pleasaunt for to vse. Now 
sir it chauced this other night, one in my chabre wolde nedes 
bende them to proue their strength, but I can not tel how, 

A 2 



4 Toxophilus. A. 

they were both left bente tyll the nexte daye at after dyner : 
and when I came to them, purposing to haue gone on shoting, 
I found my good bowe clene cast on the one side, and as 
wealce as water, that surelie (if I were a riche man) I had 
rather haue spent a crowne : and as for my lugge, it was not 
one whyt the worse : but shotte by and by as wel and as farre 
as euer it dyd. And euen so I am sure that good wittes, 
except they be let downe like a treble string, and vnbent like 
a good casting bowe, they wil neuer last and be able to cotinue 
in studie. And I know where I speake this Philologe^ for I 
wolde not saye thus moche afore yong men, for they wil take 
soone occasion to studie litle ynough. But I saye it therfore 
bicause I knowe, as litle studie getteth litle learninge or none 
at all, so the moost studie getteth not y^ moost learning of all. 
For a mans witte sore occupied in ernest studie, must be as wel 
recreated with some honest pastime, as the body sore laboured, 
must be refreshed with slepe and quietnesse, or els it can not 
endure very longe, as the noble poete sayeth. 

Ouid. What thig watf quiet & meri rest endures but a smal while. 

And I promise you shoting by my iudgement, is y^ moost 
B honest pastime of al, & suche one I am sure, of all other, that 
hindreth learning litle or nothing at all, whatsoeuer you & 
some other saye, whiche are a gret dele sorer against it 
alwaies tha you nede to be. PHI. Hindereth learninge litle or 
nothinge at all ? that were a meruayle to me truelie, and I am 
sure seing you saye so, you haue some reason wherewith you 
can defende shooting w'all, and as for wyl (for the loue that 
you beare towarde shotinge) I thinke there shall lacke none in 
you. Therfore seinge we haue so good leysure bothe, and no 
bodie by to trouble vs : and you so willinge & able to defende 
it, and I so redy and glad to heare what may be sayde of it 
I suppose we canne not passe the tyme better ouer, neyther 
you for ys honestie of your shoting, nor I for myne owne 
mindsake, than to se what can be sayed with it, or agaynste it, 
and speciallie in these dayes, whan so many doeth vse it, and 
euerie man in a maner doeth common of it. TOX. To speake 
of shootinge Philologe, trulye I woulde I were so able, either 
as I my selfe am willing or yet as the matter deserueth, but 
seing with wisshing we can not haue one nowe worthie, whiche 



The schole of shoting. 5 

so worthie a thinge can worthilie praise, and although I had 
rather haue anie other to do it than my selfe, yet my selfe 
rather then no other, I wil not fail to saye in it what I can 
wherin if I saye litle, laye that of my litle habilitie, not of the 
matter it selfe whiche deserueth no lyttle thinge to be sayde 
of it. PHI. If it deserue no little thinge to be sayde of it 
Toxophile, I maruell howe it chaunceth than, that no man 
hitherto, hath written any thinge of it : wherin you must 
graunte me, that eyther the matter is noughte, vnworthye, and 
barren to be written vppon, or els some men are to blame, 
whiche both loue it and vse it, and vet could neuer finde in 
theyr heart, to saye one good woorde of it, seinge that very 
triflinge matters hath not lacked great learned men to sette 
them out, as gnattes and nuttes, & many other mo like thinges, 
wherfore eyther you may honestlie laye verie great faut vpo 
men bycause they neuer yet praysed it, or els I may iustlie take 
awaye no litle thinge from shooting, bycause it neuer yet 
deserued it. TOX. Trulye herein Philologe, you take not so 
muche from it, as you giue to it. For great and commodious 
thynges are neuer greatlie praysed, not bycause they be not 
worthie, but bicause their excellencie nedeth no man hys prayse, 
hauinge all theyr comendation of them selfe not borowed of 
other men his lippes, which rather prayse them selfe, in 
spekynge much of a litle thynge than that matter whiche they 
entreat vpon. Great & good thinges be not praysed. For who 
euer praysed Hercules (sayeth the Greke prouerbe) And that 
no man hitherto hath written any booke of shoting the fault is 
not to be layed in the thyng whiche was worthie to be written 
vpon, but of men which were negligent in doyng it, and this 
was the cause therof as I suppose. Menne that vsed shootyng 
moste and knewe it best, were not learned : men that were 
lerned, vsed litle shooting, and were ignorant in the nature 
of the thynge, and so fewe menne hath bene that hitherto were 
able to wryte vpon it. Yet howe longe shotying hath con- 
tinued, what common wealthes hath moste vsed it, howe honeste 
a thynge it is for all men, what kynde of liuing so euer they 
folow, what pleasure and profit cometh of it, both in peace and 
warre, all maner of tongues & writers, Hebrue, Greke and 
Latine, hath so plentifullie spoken of it, as of fewe other thinges 
like. So what shooting is howe many kindes there is of it, 



6 T'oxophilus. A. 

what goodnesse is ioyned with it, is tolde : onelye howe it is to 
be learned and brought to a perfeflnesse amonges men, is not 
toulde. PHI. Than Toxophile^ if it be so as you do saye, let 
vs go forwarde and examin howe plentifullie this is done that 
you spelce, and firste of the inuention of it, than what honestie 
h profit is in the vse of it, bothe for warre & peace, more than 
in other pastimes, laste of all howe it ought to be learned 
amonges men for the encrease of it, whiche thinge if you do, 
not onelye I nowe for youre comunication but many other mo, 
when they shall knowe of it, for your labour, h shotying it 
selfe also (if it coulde spelce) for your kyndnesse, wyll can you 
very moche thanke, TOXOPH, What good thynges me 
speake of shoting & what good thinges shooting bringes to men 
as my wit & knowlege will serue me, gladly shall I say my 
mind. But how the thing is to be learned I will surely leue to 
some other which bothe for greater experience in it, h also for 
their lerninge, can set it out better than I. PHI. Well as 
for that I knowe both what you can do in shooting by ex- 
perience, & yt you ca also speke well ynough of shooting, for 
youre learning, but go on with the first part. And I do not 
doubt, but what my desyre, what your loue toward it, the 
honestie of shoting, the profite that may come therby to many 
other, shall get the seconde parte out of you at the last. 
C TOXOPH. Of the first finders out of shoting, diuers 

men diuerslye doo wryte. Claudiane the poete 
Claudianus sayth that nature gaue example of shotyng first, 

by the Porpentine, whiche doth shote his prickes, 
and will hitte any thinge that fightes with it : whereby 

men learned afterwarde to immitate the same in 

7- 5 • findyng out both bowe and shaftes. Plinie re- 

ferreth it to Schythes the sonne of lupiter. Better and more 

noble wryters bringe shoting from a more noble inuentour : as 

T J, Plato, Calimachus, and Galene from Apollo. 

In sympo. -r^^ r i j j j-u 

In hym. Yet longe arore those dayes do we reade m the 

Apoir. bible of shotinge expreslye. And also if we shall 

Gen. 21. beleue Nicholas de Lyra, Lamech killed Cain 

Nic.de lyra. •wjth a shafte. So this great continuaunce of 

shoting doth not a lytle praise shotinge : nor that neither doth 

not a litle set it oute, that it is referred to thinuention of 

Apollo, for the which poynt shoting is highlye praised of 



'T'he schole of shoting. j 

Galene : where he sayth, y* mean craftes be first foud out 
by men or beastes, as weauing by a spider, and Galen in ex- 
suche other : but high and comendable sciences by hor. ad ho- 
goddes, as shotinge and musicke by Apollo. And '"^■*' "^i^^- 
thus shotynge for the necessitie of it vsed in Adams dayes, for 
the noblenesse of it referred to Apollo, hath not ben onelie 
comended in all tunges and writers, but also had in greate price, 
both in the best comune wealthes in warre tyme for the defece 
of their countrie, and of all degrees of men in peace tyme, 
bothe for the honestie that is ioyned with it, and the profyte 
that foloweth of it. PHILOL. Well, as concerning the 
fyndinge oute of it, litle prayse is gotten to shotinge therby, 
seinge good wittes maye mooste easelye of all fynde oute a 
trifelynge matter. But where as you saye that mooste com- 
mune wealthes haue vsed it in warre tyme, and all degrees of 
men maye verye honestlye vse it in peace tyme : I thynke you 
can neither shewe by authoritie, nor yet proue by reason. 
TOXOPHI. The vse of it in warre tyme, I wyll declare here- 
after. And firste howe all kindes and sortes of men (what degree 
soeuer they be) hath at all tymes afore, and nowe maye honestlye 
vse it : the example of mooste noble men verye well doeth proue. 

Cyaxares the kynge of the Medees, and greate graunde- 
father to Cyrus, kepte a sorte of Sythians with 
him onely for this purpose, to teache his sonne ^^° '^^ ^°' 
Astyages to shote. Cyr^ being a childe was brought vp in 
shoting, which thinge Xenophon wolde neuer 
haue made mention on, except it had ben fitte ^"\' "' ""''" 
for all princes to haue vsed : seing that 
Xenopho wrote Cyrus lyfe (as Tullie sayth) not to shewe 
what Cyrus did, but what all maner of princes 
both in pastimes and ernest matters ought to do. "l^" C^"^^- 

Darius the first of that name, and king of 
Persie shewed plainly howe fit it is for a kinge to loue and 
vse shotynge, whiche commaunded this sentence to be grauen 
in his tombe, for a Princelie memorie and prayse. 

Darius the King lieth buried here Sirabo. 15. 

^hat in shoting and riding had neuer pere. 

Agayne, Domitian the Emperour was so cuning in 
shoting that he coulde shote betwixte a mans Tranq. suet. 



8 Toxophiius. A. 

fingers standing afarre of, and neuer hurt him. Comodus also 
was so excellent, and had so sure a hande in it, 
that there was nothing within his retche & shote, 
but he wolde hit it in what place he wolde : as beastes runninge, 
either in the heed, or in the herte, and neuer mysse, as Hero- 
diane sayeth he sawe him selfe, or els he coulde neuer haue 
beleued it. PHI. In dede you praise shoting very wel, in y' 
you shewe that Domitian and Commodus loue shotinge, suche 
an vngracious couple I am sure as a man shall not fynde agayne, 
if he raked all hell for them. TOXOPH. Wel euen as I 
wyll not commende their ilnesse, so ought not you to dispraise 
their goodnesse, and in dede, the iudgement of Herodian vpon 
Commodus is true of them bothe, and that was this : that 
beside strength of bodie and good shotinge, they hadde no 
princelie thing in them, which saying me thinke commendes 
shoting wonderfullie, callinge it a princelie thinge. 

Furthermore howe commendable shotinge is for princes : 

Themistius the noble philosopher sheweth in a 

Themisi. certayne oration made to Theodosius themperoure, 

wherein he doeth commende him for .iii. thinges, 

that he vsed of a childe. For shotinge, for rydinge of an horse 

well, and for feates of armes. 

Moreouer, not onelye kinges and emperours haue ben brought 

vp in shoting, but also the best comune wealthes that euer were, 

haue made goodlie aftes & lawes for it, as the Persians which 

vnder Cyrus coquered in a maner all the worlde, 

had a lawe that their children shulde learne thre 

thinges onelie, from v. yeare oulde vnto .xx. to ryde an horse 

well, to shote well, to speake truthe alwayes & 

Leo de stra- neuer lye. The Romaines (as Leo themperour 

in his boke of sleightes of warre telleth) had a lawe 

that euery man shoulde vse shoting in peace tyme, while he 

was .xl. yere olde and that euerye house shoulde haue a bowe, 

and .xl. shaftes ready for all nedes, the omittinge of whiche lawe 

(sayth Leo) amonges the youthe, hath ben the onely occasion 

why the Romaynes lost a great dele of their empire. But more 

of this I wil speake whe I come to the profite of shoting in 

warre. If I shuld rehearse the statutes made of noble princes 

of Englande in parliamentes for the settyng forwarde of shoting, 

through this realme, and specially that acte made for shoting 



The schole of shoting. 9 

the thyrde yere of the reygne of our moost drad soueraygne lorde 
king Henry the .viii. I could be very long. But these ^&vi& 
exaples specially of so great men & noble comon wealthes, 
shall stand in stede of many. PHI. That suche princes and 
suche comune welthes haue moche regarded shoting, you haue 
well declared. But why shotinge ought so of it selfe to be 
regarded, you haue scarcelye yet proued. TOX. Examples 
I graunt out of histories do shew a thing to be so, not proue 
a thing why it shuld be so. Yet this I suppose, y' neither 
great mens qualities being comedable be without great 
authoritie, for other men honestly to folow them : nor yet 
those great learned men that wrote suche thinges, lacke good 
reaso iustly at al tymes for any other to approue the. Princes 
beinge children oughte to be brought vp in shoting : both by- 
cause it is an exercise moost holsom, and also a pastyme moost 
honest : wherin labour prepareth the body to hardnesse, the 
minde to couragiousnesse, sufferyng neither the one to be marde 
with tendernesse, nor yet the other to be hurte with ydlenesse : 
as we reade how Sardanapalus and suche other were, bycause 
they were not brought vp w^ outwarde honest payneful pastymes 
to be men : but cockerde vp with inwarde noughtie ydle 
wantonnfsse to be women. For how fit labour is for al 
youth, lupiter or else Minos amonges them of Grece, and 
Lycurgus amonges the Lacedemonians, do shewe 
by their lawes, which neuer ordeyned any thing q' ^' "^' 
for y*^ bringyng vp of youth that was not ioyned 
with labour. And the labour which is in shoting of al other 
is best, both bycause it encreaseth strength, and preserueth 
health moost, beinge not vehement, but moderate, not ouerlay- 
ing any one part with werysomnesse, but softly exercisynge 
euery parte with equalnesse, as the armes and breastes with 
drawinge, the other parties with going, being not so paynfull 
for the labour as pleasaunt for the pastyme, which exercise by 
the iudgement of the best physicions, is most alowable. By 
shoting also is the mynde honestly exercised where 
a ma alwaies desireth to be best (which is a worde ?" 'j 

of honestie) and that by the same waye, that 
vertue it selfe doeth, couetinge to come nighest a moost perfite 
ende or meane standing betwixte .ii. extremes, eschewinge 
shorte, or gone, or eithersyde wide, for the which causes 



I o 'Toxophilus. A. 

Aristotle him selfe sayth that shoting and vertue be very like. 

Moreouer that shoting of all other is the moost 

Arist. I. de honest pastvme, and hath leest occasion to 
tnoTib* . ^ . 

noughtinesse ioyned with it .ii. thinges very 

playnelye do proue, which be as a man wolde saye, the tutours 

and ouerseers to shotinge : Daye light and open place where 

euerye man doeth come, the maynteyners and kepers of shoting, 

from all vnhonest doing. If shotinge faulte at any tyme, it 

hydes it not, it lurkes not in corners and huddermother : but 

openly accuseth & bewrayeth it selfe, which is the nexte waye 

to amendement, as wyse men do saye. And these thinges 

I suppose be signes, not of noughtinesse, for any man to 

disalowe it : but rather verye playne tokens of honestie, for 

euerye man to prayse it. 

The vse of shotinge also in greate mennes chyldren shall 

greatlye encrease the loue and vse of shotinge in all the residue 

of youth. For meane mennes myndes loue to be lyke greate 

menne, as Plato and Isocrates do saye. And that 

euerye bodye shoulde learne to shote when they be 

yonge, defence of the comune wealth, doth require whe they 

be olde, which thing can not be done mightelye when they be 

men, excepte they learne it perfitelye when they be boyes. 

And therfore shotinge of all pastymes is moost fitte to be vsed 

in childhode : bycause it is an imitation of moost ernest 

thinges to be done in manhode. 

Wherfore, shoting is fitte for great mens children, both 

bycause it strengthneth the body with holsome labour, and 

pleaseth the mynde with honest pastime and also encourageth 

all other youth ernestlye to folowe the same. And these 

reasons (as I suppose) stirred vp both great men to bring vp 

their chyldren in shotinge, and also noble commune wealthes so 

straytelye to commaunde shoting. Therfore seinge Princes 

moued by honest occasions, hath in al commune wealthes Vsed 

shotynge, I suppose there is none other degree of men, neither 

D lowe nor hye, learned nor leude, yonge nor oulde. PHIL. You 

shal nede wade no further in this matter Toxophile^ but if 

you can proue me that scholers and men gyuen to learning 

maye honestlie vse shoting, I wyll soone graut you that 

all other sortes of men maye not onelye lefuUie, but ought of 

dutie to vse it. ■ But I thinke you can not proue but that all 



The schole of shoting. 1 1 

these examples of shotinge brought from so longe a tyme, vsed 
of so noble princes, confirmed by so wyse mennes lawes and 
iudgementes, are sette afore temporall men, onelye to followe 
them : whereby they may the better and stroglyer defende the 
commune wealth withall. And nothing belongeth to scholers 
and learned men, which haue an other parte of the commune 
wealth, quiete and peaceable put to their cure and charge, whose 
ende as it is diuerse fro the other, so there is no one waye that 
leadeth to them both. TOXO. I graunte Philologe^ that 
scholers and lay men haue diuerse offices and charges in the 
comune wealth, whiche requires diuerse briging vp in their 
youth, if they shal do them as they ought to do in their age. 
Yet as temporall men of necessitie are compelled to take some- 
what of learning to do their office the better withal: So scholers 
maye the boldlyer borowe somewhat of laye mennes pastimes, 
to maynteyne their health in studie withall. And surelie of 
al other thinges shoting is necessary for both sortes to learne. 
Whiche thing, when it hath ben euermore vsed in Englande 
how moche good it hath done, both oulde men and Chronicles 
doo tell : and also our enemies can beare vs recorde. For if it 
be true (as I haue hearde saye) when the kynge of Englande 
hath ben in Fraunce, the preestes at home bicause they were 
archers, haue ben able to ouerthrowe all Scotlande. Agayne 
ther is an other thing which aboue all other doeth moue me, 
not onely to loue shotinge, to prayse shoting, to exhorte all other 
to shotinge, but also to vse shoting my selfe : and that is our 
kyng his moost royall purpose and wyll, whiche in all his 
statutes generallye doth commaunde men, and with his owne 
mouthe moost gentlie doeth exhorte men, and by his greate 
gyftes and rewardes, greatly doth encourage men, and with his 
moost princelie example very oft doth prouoke all other me 
to the same. But here you wyll come in w' teporal man and 
scholer : I tell you plainlye, scholer or vnscholer, yea if I were 
.XX. scholers, I wolde thinke it were my dutie, bothe with 
exhortinge men to shote, and also with shoting my selfe to 
helpe to set forwarde that thing which the kinge his wisdome, 
and his counsell, so greatlye laboureth to go forwarde: whiche 
thinge surelye they do, bycause they knowe it to be in warre, 
the defence and wal of our countrie, in peace, an exercise 
moost holsome for the body, a pastime moost honest for the 



1 2 T'oxophilus. A. 

mynde, and as I am able to proue my selfe, of al other moste 
fit and agreable with learninge and learned men. 

PHI. If you can proue this thing so playnly, as you speake 
it ernestly, the wil I, not only thinke as you do, but become 
a shooter and do as you do. But yet beware I saye, lest you 
for the great loue you bear towarde shotinge, blindlie iudge of 
shootinge. For loue & al other to ernest affe6lions be not for 
nought paynted blinde. Take hede (I saye) least you prefer 
shootinge afore other pastimes, as one Balbinus through blinde 
affection, preferred his louer before all other wemen, although 
she were deformed with a polypus in her nose. And although 
shooting maye be mete sometyme for some scholers, and so 
forthe: yet the fittest alwayes is to be preferred. Therefore 
if you will nedes graunt scholers pastime and recreation of their 
mindes, let them vse (as many of the doth) Musyke, and playing 
on instrumentes, thinges moste semely for all scholers, and 
moste regarded alwayes of Apollo & the Muses. TOX. Euen 
as I can not deny, but some musike is fit for lerning so I trust 
you can not chose but graunt, that shoting is fit also, as 
Calimach^ doth signifie in this verse. 

Cal. hym. i. Both merle songes and good shoting dellteth Appollo. 

But as concerning whether of them is moste fit for learning, 
E and scholers to vse, you may saye what you will for your 
pleasure, this I am sure that Plato and Aristotle bothe, in 
their bookes entreatinge of the comon welthe, where they shew 
howe youthe shoulde be brought vp in .iiii. thinges, in redinge, 
in writing, in exercise of bodye, and singing, do make mention 
of Musicke & all kindes of it, wherein they both agre, that 
Musike vsed amonges the Lydians is verie ill for yong men, 
which be studentes for vertue and learning, for a certain nice, 
softe, and smoth swetnesse of it, whiche woulde rather entice 
the to noughtines, than stirre them to honestie. 

An other kinde of Musicke inuented by the Dorians, they 
both wonderfully prayse, alowing it to be verie fyt for the 
studie of vertue & learning, because of a manlye, rough and 
stoute sounde in it, whyche shulde encourage yong stomakes, 
to attempte manlye matters. Nowe whether these balades & 
roundes, these galiardes, pauanes and daunces, so nicelye fingered, 
so swetely tuned, be lyker the Musike of the Lydians or the 



The schole of shoting. 1 3 

Dorians, you that be learned iudge. And what so euer ye 

iudge, this I am sure, yt lutes, harpes, all maner of pypes, 

barbitons, sambulces, with other instrumentes euery one, 

whyche standeth by fine and quicke fingeringe, 

be codemned of Aristotle, as not to be brought i^^l^°*' ^°^' 

in & vsed amonge them, whiche studie for 

learning and vertue. 

Pallas when she had inuented a pipe, cast it away, not so 
muche sayeth Aristotle, because it deformed her face, but 
muche rather bycause suche an Instrumente belonged nothing 
to learnynge. Howe suche Instrumentes agree with learning, 
the goodlye agrement betwixt Apollo god of learninge, & 
Marsyas the Satyr, defender of pipinge, doth well declare, 
where Marsyas had his skine quite pulled ouer his head for 
his labour. 

Muche musike marreth mennes maners, sayth Galen, 
although some man wil saye that it doth not so, but rather 
recreateth and maketh quycke a mannes mynde, yet me thinke 
by reason it doth as hony doth to a mannes stomacke, whiche 
at the first receyueth it well, but afterwarde it maketh it vnfit, 
to abyde any good stronge norishynge meate, orels anye 
holsome sharpe and quicke drinke. And euen so in a maner 
these Instrumentes make a mannes wit so softe and smoothe 
so tender and quaisie, that they be lesse able to brooke, stronge 
and tough studie. Wittes be not sharpened, but rather dulled, 
and made blunte, wyth suche sweete softenesse, euen as good 
edges be blonter, whiche menne whette vpon softe chalke 
stones. 

And these thinges to be true, not onely Plato Aristotle & 
Galen, proue by authoritie of reason, but also 
Herodotus and other writers, shewe by playne Herodotus 
and euident example, as that of Cyrus, whiche 
after he had ouercome the Lydians, and taken their kinge 
Cresus prisoner, yet after by the meane of one Pactyas a verye 
headie manne amonges the Lydians, they rebelled agaynste 
Cyrus agayne, then Cyrus had by an by, broughte them to 
vtter destruction, yf Cresus being in good fauour with Cyrus 
had not hertelie desyred him, not to reuenge Pactyas faulte, in 
shedynge theyr blood. But if he would folowe his counsell, he 
myght brynge to passe, that they shoulde neuer more rebel 



1 4 'Toxophilus. A. 

agaynst hym, And yt was this, to make them weare log 
kyrtils, to ye foot lyke woomen, and that euerye one of them 
shoulde haue a harpe or a lute, and learne to playe and sing 
whyche thinge if you do sayth Cresus (as he dyd in dede) you 
shall se them quickelye of men, made women. And thus 
lutinge and singinge take awaye a manlye stomake, whiche 
shulde enter & pearce depe and harde studye. 

Euen suche an other storie doeth Nymphodorus an olde 
N i)h d greke Historiographer write, of one Sesostris kinge 

of Egypte, whiche storie because it is somewhat 
longe, and very lyke in al poyntes to the other and also you do 

well ynoughe remembre it, seynge you read it so 
ofmnen . j^^.^ j^^ Sophoclis commentaries, I wyll nowe passe 

ouer. Therefore eyther Aristotle and Plato knowe 
not what was good and euyll for learninge and vertue, and the 
example of wyse histories be vainlie set afore vs or els the 
minstrelsie of lutes, pipes, harpes, and all other that standeth 
by suche nice, fine, minikin fingering (suche as the mooste 
parte of scholers whom I knowe vse, if they vse any) is farre 
more fitte for the womannishnesse of it to dwell in the courte 
among ladies, than for any great thing in it, whiche shoulde 
helpe good and sad studie, to abide in the vniuersitie amonges 
scholers. But perhaps you knowe some great goodnesse of 
suche musicke and suche instrumentes, whervnto Plato & 
Aristotle his brayne coulde neuer attayne, and therfore I will 
saye no more agaynst it. PHI. Well Toxophile is it not 
ynoughe for you to rayle vpon Musike, excepte you mocke me 
to ? but to say the truth I neuer thought my selfe these kindes 
of musicke fit for learninge, but that whyche I sayde was rather 
to proue you, than to defende the matter. But yet as I woulde 
haue this sorte of musicke decaye amonge scholers, euen so do 
I wysshe from the bottome of my heart, that the laudable 
custome of Englande to teache chyldren their plainesong and 
priksong, were not so decayed throughout all the realme as it is, 
Whiche thing howe profitable it was for all sortes of men, those 
knewe not so wel than whiche had it most, as they do nowe 
whiche lacke it moste. And therfore it is true that Teucer 
sayeth in Sophocles, 

Sophocles Seldome at all good thinges be Knowen how good to he 

tn Aiace. Before a man suche thinges do misse out of his handes. 



T^he schole of shoting. 1 5 

That milke is no fitter nor more natural! for the bringing 
vp of children than musike is, both Gallen proueth by authoritie, 
and dayly vse teacheth by experience. For euen the litle 
babes lacking the vse of reason, are scarse so well stilled in 
suckyng theyr mothers pap, as in hearynge theyr mother syng. 
Agayne how fit youth is made, by learning to sing, for 
grammar and other sciences, bothe we dayly do see, and 
Plutarch learnedly doth proue, and Plato wiselie did alowe, 
whiche receyued no scholer in to his schole, that had not learned 
his songe before. The godlie vse of praysing God, by singinge 
in the churche, nedeth not my prayse, seing it is so praysed 
through al the scripture, therfore nowe I wil speke nothing of 
it, rather than I shuld speke to litle of it. 

Besyde al these commodities, truly .ii. degrees of mene, which 
haue the highest offices vnder the king in all this realme, shal 
greatly lacke the vse of Singinge, preachers and lawiers, bycause 
they shal not without this, be able to rule their brestes, for euery 
purpose. For where is no distinction in telling glad thinges and 
fearfull thinges, gentilnes & cruelnes, softenes and vehementnes, 
and suche lyke matters, there can be no great perswasion. 

For the hearers, as Tullie sayeth, be muche aff^e6lioned, as he 
is that speaketh. At his wordes be they drawen, yf he stande still 
in one facion, their mindes stande still with hym : If he thundre, 
they quake : If he chyde, they feare : If he coplayne, they sory 
with hym : and finally, where a matter is spoken, with an apte 
voyce, for euerye affe6lion, the hearers for the moste parte, are 
moued as the speaker woulde. But when a man is alwaye in 
one tune, lyke an Humble bee, or els nowe vp in the top of the 
churche, nowe downe that no manne knoweth where to haue 
hym : or piping lyke a reede, or roring lyke a bull, as some 
lawyers do, whiche thinke they do best, when they crye 
lowdest, these shall neuer greatly mooue, as I haue knowen 
many wel learned, haue done, bicause theyr voyce was not 
stayed afore, with learnyng to synge. For all voyces, great 
and small, base & shril, weke or softe, may be holpen and 
brought to a good poynt, by learnyng to synge. 

Whether this be true or not, they that stand mooste in nede, 
can tell best, whereof some I haue knowen, whiche, because they 
learned not to sing, whan they were boyes, were fayne to take 
peyne in it, wha they were men. If any man shulde heare me 



1 6 Toxophilus. A, 

Toxophile, that woulde thinke I did but fondly, to suppose 
that a voice were so necessarie to be loked vpon, I would aske 
him if he thought not nature a foole, for maklg such goodly 
instrumentes in a man, for wel vttring his woordes, or els if 
the .ii. noble orators Demosthenes & Cicero were not fooles, 
wherof the one dyd not onelie learne to sing of a man : But 
also was not ashamed to learne howe he shoulde vtter his soudes 
aptly of a dogge, the other setteth oute no poynte of rhetorike, 
so fullie in all his bookes, as howe a man shoulde order his 
voyce for all kynde of matters. Therfore seinge men by 
speaking, differ and be better than beastes, by speakyng wel, 
better than other men, and that singing is an helpe towarde the 
same as dayly experiece doth teache, example of wyseme doth 
alowe, authoritie of learned men doth approue wherwith the 
foundacion of youth in all good common wealthes alwayes hath 
bene tempered; surelye if I were one of the parliament house, 
I woulde not fayle, to put vp a bill for the amendment of this 
thynge, but because I am lyke to be none this yeare, I wil 
speake no more of it, at this time. TOX. It were pitie truly 
Philologe^ that the thinge shoulde be negleiled, but I trust it is 
not as you say. PHI. The thing is to true, for of them that 
come daylye to y^ vniuersitie, where one hath learned to singe, 
vi. hath not. But nowe to oure shotinge Toxophile agayne, 
wherin I suppose you can not say so muche for shotyng to be fitte 
for learninge, as you haue spoken agaynste Musicke for the same. 
Therfore as concerning Musike, I can be content to graunt 
you your mynde : But as for shooting, surely I suppose 
that you can not perswade me, by no meanes, that a man can 
be earnest in it, and earnest at his booke to : but rather I thynke 
that a man w^ a bowe on his backe, and shaftes vnder hys 
girdell, is more fit to wayte vpon Robin Hoode, than vpon 
Apollo or the Muses. TOX. Ouer ernest shooting surely I 
will not ouer ernestlye defende, for I euer thought shooting 
shoulde be a wayter vpon lerning not a mastres ouer learning. 
Yet this I maruell not a litle at, that ye thinke a man with a 
bowe on hys backe is more like Robin Hoode seruaut, than 
Apollose, seing that Apollo him selfe in Alcestis of Euripides, 
whiche tragidie you red openly not long ago, in a maner glorieth 
saying this verse. 

5/^'/^^" "^ ^^ ^^ ^y '^°^^ alwaies my bowe with me to beare 



The schoie of shoting. ij 

Therfore a learned man ought not to much to be ashamed to 
beare that some tyme, whiche Apollo god of lerning him selfe 
was not ashamed always to beare. And bycause ye woulde 
haue a man wayt vpon the Muses, and not at all medle with 
shotyng I maruell that you do not remembre howe that the ix. 
muses their selfe as sone as they were borne, wer put to norse 
to a lady called Euphemis whiche had a son named Erotus with 
whome the nine Muses for his excellent shootinge, kepte euer 
more companie w'all, & vsed dayly to shoote togither in y^ 
mount Pernasus ; and at last it chauced this Erotus to dye, 
whose death the Muses lamented greatly, and fell all vpon theyr 
knees afore lupiter theyr father, and at theyr request, Erotus 
for shooting with the Muses in earth was made a signe, and 
called Sagittarius in heauen. Therfore you se, that if Apollo 
and the Muses either were examples in dede, or onelye fayned 
of wise men to be examples of learnitige, honest shoting maye 
well ynough be companion with honest studie. PHI. Well 
Toxophile, if you haue no stronger defence of shotinge then 
Poetes, I feare yf your companions which loue shotinge, hearde 
you, they wolde thinke you made it but a triflyng and fabling 
matter, rather then any other man that loueth not shotinge 
coulde be persuaded by this reason to loue it. TOXO. Euen 
as I am not so fonde but I knowe that these be fables, so I am 
sure you be not so ignoraunt, but you knowe what suche noble 
wittes as the Poetes had, ment by such matters : which often- 
tymes vnder the couering of a fable, do hyde & wrappe in goodlie 
preceptes of philosophic, with the true iudgement of thinges. 
Whiche to be true speciallye in Homer and Euripides, Plato, 
Aristotle and Galene playnelye do shewe : when through all 
their workes (in a maner) they determine all cotrouersies, by 
these .ii. Poetes and suche lyke authorities. Therfore if in this 
matter I seme to fable, and nothynge proue, I am content you 
iudge so on me : seinge the same iudgement shal condemne 
with me Plato, Aristotle, and Galene, whom in that errour I 
am wel content to folowe. If these oulde examples proue 
nothing for shoting, what saye you to this ? that the best learned 
and sagest men in this Real me, whiche be no we alyue, both loue 
shoting and vse shoting, as the best learned bisshoppes that be: 
amonges whome Philologe^ you your selfe knowe .iiii. or .v. 
which as in all good learning, vertue and sagenesse they gyue 



1 8 Toxophilus. A. 

other men example what thing they shoulde do, euen so by 
their shoting, they playnely shewe what honest pastime, other 
me giue to learning, may honestly vse. That ernest studie 
must be recreated with honest pastime sufficientlye I haue 
proued afore, both by reason and authoritie of the best learned 
men that euer wrote. Then seing pastymes be lefull, the 
moost fittest for learning, is to be sought for. A pastyme, 

saith Aristotle, must be lyke a medicine. Medi- 
ris . po. 7. (,jj^pg stande by contraries, therfore the nature of 
studying considered, the fittest pastyme shal soone appeare. In 
studie euery parte of the body is ydle, which thing causeth grosse 
and colde humours, to gather togyther & vexe scholers verye 
moche, the mynde is altogyther bent and set on worke. A 
pastyme then must be had where euery parte of the bodye must 
be laboured to separate and lessen suche humours withal : the 
mind must be vnbent, to gather h fetche againe his quicknesse 
withall. Thus pastymes for the mynde onelye, be nothing fit 
for studentes, bycause the body which is moost hurte by studie, 
shulde take away no profyte at all thereat. This knewe Erasmus 
verye well, when he was here in Cambrige : which when he 
had ben sore at his boke (as Garret our bookebynder hath verye 
ofte tolde me) for lacke of better exercise, wolde take his horse, 
and ryde about the markette hill, and come agayne. If a 
scholer shoulde vse bowles or tennies, the laboure is to vehe- 
ment and vnequall, whiche is codempned of Galene : the 
example very ill for other men, when by so manye actes they 
be made vnlawfull. 

Running, leaping, and coyting be to vile for scholers, and 
so not fit by Aristotle his iudgement : walking alone into the 

felde, hath no token of courage in it, a pastyme 
Artstot. lyj^g ^ simple man which is neither flesh nor fisshe. 

Therfore if a man woulde haue a pastyme hole- 
some and equall for euerye parte of the bodye, pleasaunt and full 
of courage for the mynde, not vile and vnhoneste to gyue ill 
example to laye men, not kepte in gardynes and corners, not 
lurkynge on the nyght and in holes, but euermore in the face 
of men, either to rebuke it when it doeth ill, or els to testifye 
on it when it doth well ; let him seke chefelye of all other for 
shotynge. PHILOL. Suche commune pastymes as men com- 
menlye do vse, I wyll not greatlye allowe to be fit for scholers: 



The schole of shoting. 19 

seinge they maye vse suche exercises verye well (I suppose) 
as Galene him selfe doth allowe. TOXOPH. 

"--r"! • T 1 11 r T Gal. df satt. 

1 hose exercises 1 remembre verye well, ror 1 ^^^^^ ^ 
read them within these two dayes, of the whiche, 
some be these : to runne vp and downe an hyll, to clyme vp a 
longe powle, or a rope, and there hange a while, to holde a man 
by his amies and waue with his heeles, moche lyke the pastyme 
that boyes vse in the churche whe their master is awaye, to 
swinge and totter in a belrope: to make a fiste, and stretche out 
bothe his armes, and so stande lyke a roode. To go on a man 
his tiptoes, stretching out thone of his armes forwarde, the 
other backewarde, which if he blered out his tunge also, myght 
be thought to daunce Anticke verye properlye. To tuble ouer 
and ouer, to toppe ouer tayle : To set backe to backe, and se 
who ca heaue an other his heles highest, with other moche like : 
whiche exercises surelye muste nedes be naturall, bycause they 
be so childisshe, and they may be also holesome for the body : 
but surely as for pleasure to the minde or honestie in the doinge 
of them, they be as lyke shotinge as Yorke is foule Sutton. 
Therfore to loke on al pastymes and exercises holsome for the 
bodye, pleasaunt for the mynde, comlye for euery man to do, 
honest for all other to loke on, profitable to be sette by of 
euerye man, worthie to be rebuked of no man, fit for al ages 
persos and places, onely shoting shal appeare, wherin all these 
commodities maye be founde. 

PHIL. To graunt Toxophile, that studentes may at tymes 
conuenient vse shoting as moost holsome and honest pastyme : 
yet to do as some do, to shote hourly daylie, wekelye, and in 
a maner the hole yere, neither I can prayse, nor any wyse 
man wyl alowe, nor you your selfe can honestlye defende. 
TOXOPH. Surely Philologe, I am very glad to se you come 
to that poynte that moost lieth in your stomake, and greueth 
you and other so moche. But I truste after I haue sayd my 
mynde in this matter, you shal cofesse your selfe that you do 
rebuke this thing more tha ye nede, rather then you shal fynde 
that any man may spende by anye possibilittie, more tyme in 
shotinge then he ought. For first and formoost the hole tyme 
is deuyded into .ii. partes, the daye and the night : whereof the 
night maye be both occupyed in many honest businesses, and 
also spent in moche vnthriftinesse, but in no wise it can be 

B 2 



20 T'oxophilus. A. 

applyed to shoting. And here you se that halfe oure tyme, 
graunted to all other thinges in a maner both good and ill, is at 
one swappe quite taken awaye from shoting. Now let vs go 
forward, and se how moche of halfe this tyme of ours is spet in 
shoting. The hole yere is deuided into .iiii. partes. Spring 
tyme, Somer, faule of the leafe, and winter wherof the whole 
winter, for the roughnesse of it, is cleane taken away from 
shoting : except it be one day amonges .xx. or one yeare 
amonges .xl. In Somer, for the feruent heate, a man maye 
saye likewyse : except it be somtyme agaynst night. Now 
then spring tyme and faule of the leafe be those which we 
abuse in shoting. But if we consider how mutable & chaunge- 
able the wether is in those seasons, and howe that Aristotle him 
selfe sayth, that mooste parte of rayne fauleth in these two 
tymes : we shall well perceyue, that where a man wolde shote 
one daye, he shall be fayne to leaue of .iiii. Now when tyme 
it selfe grauteth vs but a litle space to shote in, lette vs se if 
shoting be not hindered amonges all kyndes of men as moche 
otherwayes. First, yong childre vse not, yong men for feare of 
them whom they be vnder to moche dare not : sage men for 
other greater businesses, wyll not : aged men for lacke of 
strengthe, can not : Ryche men for couetousnesse sake, care 
not : poore men for cost and charge, may not : masters for their 
housholde keping, hede not : seruautes kept in by their maisters 
very oft, shall not : craftes men for getting of their lyuing, verye 
moche leysure haue not : and many there be that oft beginnes, 
but for vnaptnesse proues not : and moost of all, whiche when 
they be shoters gyue it ouer and lyste not, so that generallye 
men euerye where for one or other consideration moche shoting 
vse not. Therfore these two thinges, straytenesse of tyme, 
and euery man his trade of liuing, are the causes that so fewe 
men shotes : as you maye se in this greate towne, where as 
there be a thousande good mens bodies, yet scarse .x. y' vseth 
any great shoting. And those whome you se shote the moost, 
with how many thinges are the[y] drawen, or rather driuen, fro 
shoting. For first, as it is many a yere or they begyn to be 
greate shoters, euen so the greate heate of shotinge is gone 
within a yere or two : as you knowe diuerse Philologe your 
selfe, which were sometyme the best shoters, and now they be 
the best studentes. 



T'he schole of shoting. 2 1 

If a man faule sycke, farewell shoting, maye fortune as 
long as he lyueth. If he haue a wrentche, or haue take colde 
in his arme, he may hang vp his bowe (I warraunt you) for 
one season. A litle blayne, a small cutte, yea a silie poore 
worme in his finger, may kepe him from shoting wel ynough. 
Breaking and ill luck in bowes I wyll passe ouer, with an 
hudred mo sere thinges, whiche chaunceth euerye daye to them 
that shote moost, wherof the leest of them may compell a man 
to leaue shoting. And these thinges be so trewe and euident, 
that it is impossible either for me craftelye to fayne them, or 
els for you iustly to deny the. Tha seing how many hundred 
thinges are required altogyther to giue a man leaue to shote, 
and any one of the denied, a ma can not shote : and seing 
euery one of them maye chaunce, and doth chaunce euery 
day, I meruayle anye wyse man wyll thynke it possible, that 
any greate tyme can be spent in shoting at all. 

PHI. If this be true that you saye Toxophile, and F 
in very dede I can denye nothinge of it, I meruayle greatly 
how it chaunceth, that those, whiche vse shoting be so 
moche marked of men, and ofttymes blamed for it, and yt in 
a maner as moche as those which pleye at cardes 
and disc. And I shal tell you what I hearde spoken 5 v 

A 1 and ciyse. 

of the same matter. A man no shoter, (not 
longe agoo) wolde defende playing at cardes h disc, if it were 
honestly vsed, to be as honest a pastime as youre shotinge : 
For he layed for him, that a man might pleye for a litle at 
cardes and dyse, and also a man might shote away all that euer 
he had. He sayd a payre of cardes cost not past .ii.d. and that 
they neded not so moche reparation as bowe and shaftes, they 
wolde neuer hurte a man his hande, nor neuer weare his gere. 
A man shulde neuer slee a man with shoting wyde at the cardes. 
In wete and drye, hote and coulde, they woulde neuer forsake 
a man, he shewed what great varietie there is in them for 
euerye mans capacitie : if one game were harde, he myght 
easelye learne an other : if a man haue a good game, there is 
greate pleasure in it : if he haue an ill game, the payne is shorte, 
for he maye soone gyue it ouer, and hope for a better : with 
many other mo reasons. But at the last he concluded, that 
betwixt playinge and shoting, well vsed or ill vsed, there was 
no diff^erence : but that there was lesse coste and trouble, and 
a greate deale more pleasure in playing, then in shotynge. 



22 Toxophilus. A. 

TOX. I can not deny, but shoting (as all other good thinges) 
may be abused. And good thinges vngoodlye vsed, are not 
good, sayeth an honorable bishoppe in an ernester matter then 
this is : yet we muste beware that we laye not mennes faultes 
vpo the thing which is not worthie, for so nothing shulde be 
good. And as for shoting, it is blamed and marked of men for 
that thing (as I sayde before) which shoulde be rather a token 
of honestie to prayse it, then any signe of noughtinesse to 
disalowe it, and that is bycause it is in euerye man his sight, 
it seketh no corners, it hydeth it not : if there be neuer so litle 
fault in it, euerye man seeth it, it accuseth it selfe. For one 
houre spente in shoting is more sene and further talked of, then 
.XX. nightes spent in dysing, euen as a litle white stone is sene 
amonges .iii. hundred blacke. Of those that blame shotinge 
and shoters, I wyll saye nomore at this tyme but this, that 
beside that they stoppe and hinder shoting, which the kinges 
grace wolde haue forwarde, they be not moche vnlyke in this 
poynt to Wyir Somer the king his foole, which smiteth him 
that standeth alwayes before his face, be he neuer so worshipfull 
a man, and neuer greatly lokes for him whiche lurkes behinde 
an other man his backe, that hurte him in dede. 

But to him that compared gamning with shoting somewhat 
wyll I answere, and bycause he went afore me in a coparison : 
and comparisons sayth learned men, make playne matters: I 
wyl surely folowe him in the same. Honest thynges (sayeth 
Plato) be knowen from vnhonest thinges, by this 
n P e ro. difference, vnhonestie hath euer present pleasure 
in it, hauing neyther good pretence going before, nor yet any 
profit folowing after ; which saying descrybeth generallye, bothe 
the nature of shooting & gamning whiche is good, and which 
is euyl, verie well. 

Gamninge hath ioyned with it, a vayne presente pleasure, 
but there foloweth, losse of name, losse of goodes, and winning 
of an hundred gowtie, dropsy diseases, as euery man can tell. 
Shoting is a peynfull pastime, wherof foloweth health of body 
quiknes of witte, habilitie to defende oure countrye, as our 
enemies can beare recorde. 

Loth I am to compare these thinges togyther, & yet I do 
it not bicause there is any comparison at al betwixte them, but 
therby a man shal se how good the one is, howe euil the other. 



T'he schole of shoting. 23 

For 1 thinke ther is scarse so muche contrariousnes, betwixte 
hotte and colde, vertue & vice, as is betwixte these ,ii, thinges : 
For what so euer is in the one, the cleane contrarye is in the 
other, as shall playnlye appere, if we consider, bothe theyr 
beginnynges, theyr encreasynges, theyr fructes, and theyr endes, 
whiche I wyl soone rydde ouer. 

C[ The fyrste brynger in to the worlde of shootynge, was 
Apollo, whiche for his wisdome, & great com- 
modities,broughtamongesmenbyhini,was estemed ' 

worthie, to be counted as a God in heauen. Disyng surely is 
a bastarde borne, because it is said to haue .ii. fathers, and yet 
bothe noughte: The one was an vngracious God, 
called Theiith^ which for his noughtines, came inPhedro 
neuer in other goddes companyes, and therfore 
Homer doth despise onse to name him, in all his worlces. The 
other father was a Lydian borne, whiche people 
for suche gamnes, and other vnthriftines, as q"° °^' "' 
boowlyng and hauntyng of tauernes, haue bene 
euer had in most vile reputation, in all storyes and writers. 

The Fosterer vp of shoting is Labour, ye companion of 
vertue, the maynteyner of honestie, the encreaser of health and 
welthinesse, whiche admytteth nothinge in a maner in to his 
companye, that standeth not, with vertue and honestie, and 
therefore sayeth the oulde poete Epicharmus very pretelye in 
Xenophon, that God selleth vertue, & all other 
good thinges to men for labour. The Nource of ol^r [f J'^ ' 
dise and cardes, is werisom Ydlenesse, enemy of 
vertue, y^ drowner of youthe, that tarieth in it, and as Chauser 
doth saye verie well in the Parsons tale, the greene path waye 
to hel, hauinge this thing appropriat vnto it, that where as 
other vices haue some clolce of honestie, onely ydlenes can 
neyther do wel, nor yet thinke wel. Agayne, shooting hath 
two Tutours to looke vpon it, out of whose companie, shooting 
neuer stirreth, the one called Daye light, ye other Open place, 
whyche .ii. keepe shooting from euyl companye, and suffers 
it not to haue to much swinge, but euermore kepes it vnder 
awe, that it darre do nothyng in the open face of the worlde, 
but that which is good and honest. Lykewyse, dysinge and 
cardynge, haue .ii. Tutours, the one named Solitariousenes, 
whyche lurketh in holes and corners, the other called Night an 



24 Toxophilus. A. 

vngratiouse couer of noughtynesse, whyche two thynges be very 
Inlcepers & receyuers of all noughtynesse and noughtye thinges, 
and therto they be in a maner, ordeyned by Nature. For on 
the nighte tyme & in corners, Spirites and theues, rattes and mise, 
toodes and oules, nyghtecrowes and poulcattes, foxes and 
foumerdes, with all other vermine, and noysome beastes, vse 
mooste styrringe, when in the daye lyght, and in open places 
whiche be ordeyned of God for honeste thynges, they darre not 
ones come, whiche thinge Euripides noted verye well, sayenge. 

// thinges the nighty good thinges the daye doth haunt & vse. 
Iphi. I Tail. 

Companions of shoting, be prouidens, good heed giuing, 
true meatinge, honest comparison, whyche thinges agree with 
vertue very well. Cardinge and dysinge, haue a sorte of good 
felowes also, goynge commonly in theyr companye, as blynde 
Fortune, stumbling chaunce, spittle lucke, false dealyng, crafty 
conueyaunce, braynlesse brawlynge, false forswerynge, whiche 
good feloes wyll sone take a man by the sleue, and cause him 
take his Inne, some w^ beggerye, some wyth goute & dropsie, 
some with thefte and robbery, & seldome they wyl leaue a man 
before he comme eyther to hangyng or els somme other 
extreme misery. To make an ende, howe shoting by al mennes 
lawes hath bene alowed, cardyng and dysing by al mennes 
iudgementes condemned, I nede not shewe the matter is so 
playne. 

Therfore, whan the Lydians shall inuent better thinges 
than Apollo, when slothe and ydlenes shall encrease vertue 
more than labour, whan the nyghte and lurking corners, giueth 
lesse occasion to vnthriftinesse, than lyght daye and opennes, 
than shal shotynge and suche gamninge, be in sume comparison 
lyke. Yet euen as I do not shewe all the goodnes, whiche is in 
shotynge, whan I proue it standeth by the same thinges that 
vertue it selfe standeth by, as brought in by God, or Godlyelyke 
men, fostered by labour, committed to the sauegarde of lyght 
and opennes, accompanied with prouision and diligens, loued 
and allowed by euery good mannes sentence, Euen lykewyse 
do I not open halfe the noughtines whiche is in cardyng & 
dising, whan I shewe howe they are borne of a desperate mother, 
norished in ydlenes, encresed by licence of nyght and corners. 



The schoie of shoting. 25 

accompanied wyth Fortune, chaunce, deceyte, & craftines : 
condemned and banished, by all lawes & iudgementes. 

For if I woulde enter, to descrybe the monstruousenes of 
it, I shoulde rather wander in it, it is so brode, than haue any 
readye passage to the ende of the matter : whose horriblenes is 
so large, that it passed the eloquence of oure Englyshe Homer, 
to compasse it : yet because I euer thought hys sayinges to haue 
as muche authoritie, as eyther Sophocles or Euripides in Grelce, 
therfore gladly do I remembre these verses of hys. 

Hasardry is Very mother of lesinges^ 
And of deceyte^ and cursed sweringes^ 
Blasphemie of Ch[r]ist^ manslaughter^ and waste also^ 
Of catel of tytne^ of other thynges mo. 

H Mother of lesinges) trulye it maye well be called so, if a 
man consydre howe manye wayes, and how many thinges, he 
loseth thereby, for firste he loseth his goodes, he loseth his 
tyme, he loseth quyclcnes of wyt, and all good lust to other 
thinges, he loseth honest companye, he loseth his good name 
and estimation, and at laste, yf he leaue it not, loseth God, & 
heauen and all: and in stede of these thinges winneth at length, 
eyther hangyng or hell. 

fl And of deceyte) I trowe if I shoulde not lye, there is not 
halfe so muche crafte vsed in no one thinge in the worlde, as in 
this cursed thynge. What false dise vse they ? as dise stopped 
with quicksiluer and heares, dise of a vauntage, flattes, gourdes 
to chop and chaunge whan they lyste, to lette the trew dise fall 
vnder the table, & so take vp the false, and if they be true dise, 
what shyfte wil they make to set y^ one of them with slyding, 
with cogging, with foysting, with coytinge as they call it. 
Howe wyll they vse these shiftes, whan they get a playne man 
that can no skyll of them ? Howe will they go about, yf they 
perceyue an honest man haue money, which list not playe, to 
prouoke him to playe ? They wyl seke his company, they wil 
let hym paye nought, yea and as I hearde a man ones saye that 
he dyd, they wil send for hym to some house & spend 
perchaunce, a crown on him, and at last wyll one begin to saye : 
what my masters, what shall we do? shall euerye man playe his 
.xii. d. whyles an apple roste in the fyre, and than we wyll 
drinke & departe : Naye wyl an other saye, as false as he, you 



26 Toxophilus. A. 

can not leaue whan you begyn, and therfore I wyll not playe: 
but yet yf you wyll gage, that euery man as he hath lost his 
.xii. d. shall sit downe, I am content, for surely I woulde winne 
no mannes money here, but euen as much as wolde paye for 
mye supper. Than speketh the thyrde, to the honest man that 
thought not to playe, what wylle you playe your .xii. pence if 
he excuse hym, tush man wyll the other saye, sticke not in 
honest company for xii. d. I wyll beare your halfe, and here 
is my mony. 

Nowe al this is to make him to beginne, for they knowe if 
he be ones in, and be a looser, yt he wyl not sticke at his .xii. 
d. but hopeth euer to gette it agayne, whiles perhaps, he loose 
all. Than euery one of them setteth his shiftes abroche, some 
w^ false dise, some wyth settynge of dyse, some with hauinge 
outelandishe syluer coynes guylded, to put away at a tyme for 
good gold. Than yf ther come a thing in controuersie, muste 
you be iudged by the table, and than farewell the honest man 
hys parte, for he is borne downe on euerye syde. 

Nowe sir, besyde all these thinges they haue certayne 
termes, as a man woulde saye, appropriate to theyr playing : 
wherby they wyl drawe a mannes money, but paye none, 
whiche they cal barres, that surely he that knoweth them not, 
maye soone be debarred of all that euer he hath, afore he lerne 
them. Yf a playne man lose, as he shall do euer, or els it is a 
wonder, than the game is so deuilysh, that he can neuer leaue : 
For vayn hope (which hope sayth Euripides, destroyeth many 
a man and Citie) dryueth hym on so farre, that 
' he can neuer retourne backe, vntyl he be so lyght, 
that he nede feare no theues by the waye. Nowe if a simple 
man happen onse in his lyfe, to win of suche players, than will 
they eyther entreate him to kepe them company whyles he 
hath lost all agayne, or els they will vse the moste dyuellyshe 
fashion of all. For one of the players that standeth nexte him, 
shall haue a payre of false dise, and cast them out vpon the 
bourde, the honest man shall take them & cast them, as he did 
the other, the thirde shall espye them to be false dise, and shall 
crye oute, haroe, wyth all the othes vnder God, that he hath 
falselye wonne theyr moneye, and than there is nothynge but 
houlde thy throte from my dagger, than euery man layeth 
hande on the simple man, and taketh all theyr moneye from 



The schole of shoting. 27 

him, and his owne also, thinking himselfe wel, that he scapeth 
with his lyfe. 

Cursed swerying^ hlasphemie of Christ e.) These halfe verses 
Chaucer in an other place, more at large doth well set out, and 
verye liuely expresse, sayinge. 

Ey by goddes precious hert and his nayles 
Jnd by the blood of Christ e^ that is in Hales^ 
Seuen is my chaunce^ and thine is sinke and treye^ 
Ey goddes armes^ if thou falsly playe^ 
This dagger shall thorough thine herte go 
This frute commeth of the beched boones twoo 
Forsweringe^ Ire^ falsnes and Homicide. &'c. 

Thoughe these verses be very ernestlie wrytten, yet they do 
not halfe so grisely setteout the horyblenes of blasphemy, which 
suche gamners vse, as it is in dede, and as I haue hearde my 
selfe. For no man can wryte a thing so earnestlye, as whan it 
is spoke wyth iesture, as learned men you knowe do saye. 
Howe will you thinke that suche furiousenes wyth woode 
countenaunces, and brenning eyes, with staringe and bragging, 
with heart redie to leape out of the belly for swelling, can be 
expressed y^ tenth part, to the vttermost. Two men I herd 
my selfe, whose sayinges be far more grisely, than Chaucers 
verses. One, whan he had lost his moneye, sware me God, 
from top to toe with one breath, that he had lost al his money 
for lacke of sweringe : The other, losyng his money, and 
heaping othes vpon othes, one in a nothers necke, moost 
horrible & not spekeable, was rebuked of an honest man whiche 
stode, by for so doynge, he by and by starynge him in the face, 
and clappyng his fiste with all his moneye he had, vpon the 
boorde, sware me by the flesshe of God, that yf sweryng woulde 
helpe him but one ace, he woulde not leue one pece of god 
vnsworne, neyther wythin nor without. The remembrauce of 
this blasphemy Philologe, doth make me quake at the hart, 
& therefore I wyll speake no more of it. 

And so to conclude wyth suche gamnying, I thynke there 
is no vngraciousenes in all thys worlde, that carieth so far from 
god, as thys faulte doth. And yf there were anye so desperate 
a persone, that woulde begynne his hell here in earth, I trowe 
he shoulde not fynde hell more lyke hell it selfe, then the lyfe 



28 Toxophilus. A. 

of those men is which dayly haunt and vse suche vngracious 

games. PHIL. You handle this gere in dede : And I suppose 

if ye had ben a prentice at suche games, you coulde not haue 

sayd more of them then you haue done, and by lyke you haue had 

somwhat to do with them. TOX. In dede, you may 

honestlye gather that I hate them greatly, in that I spealce 

agaynst them : not that I haue vsed them greatlye, in that 

I spealce of them. For thynges be knowen dyuerse wayes, as 

Socrates (you knowe) doeth proue in Alcibiades. And if euery 

man shulde be that, that he speaketh or wryteth vpo, then 

shulde Homer haue bene the best capitayne, moost cowarde, 

hardye, hasty, wyse and woode, sage and simple : And Terence 

an ouldeman & a yong, an honest man and a bawde : with 

suche lyke. Surelye euerye man ought to praye to God dayly, 

to kepe them fro suche unthriftynesse, and speciallye all the 

youth of Englande : for what youth doth begynne, a man wyll 

folowe comonlye, euen to his dyinge daye : 

Euripides whiche thinge Adrastus in Euripides pretelve 
in supplt. J o r r / 

doth expresse, saymge. 

What thing a man in tender age hath most in vre 
That same to death alwayes to kepe he shal be sure 
Therfore in age who greatly longes good frute to moive 
In youth he must him selfe aplye good seede to sowe. 

For the foundation of youth well sette (as Plato doth saye) 
the whole bodye of the commune wealth shal floryshe therafter. 
If the yonge tree growe croked, when it is oulde, a man shal 
rather breake it tha streyght it. And I thinke there is no one 
thinge y' crokes youth more then suche vnlefull games. Nor 
let no ma say, if they be honestly vsed they do no harme. For 
how can that pastyme whiche neither exerciseth the bodye with 
any honest labour, nor yet the minde with any honest thinking, 
haue any honestie ioyned with it. Nor let noman assure hym 
selfe that he can vse it honestlye : for if he stande therein, he 
may fortune haue a faule, the thing is more slipperye then he 
knoweth of. A man maye (I graunt) syt on a brante hyll syde, 
but if he gyueneuer so lytle forwarde, he can not stoppe though 
he woulde neuer so fayne, but he must nedes runne heedling, 
he knoweth not how farre. What honest pretences, vayne 
pleasure layeth dayly (as it were entisemetes or baytes, to pull 



T'he schole of shoting. 29 

men forwarde withall) Homer doeth well shewe, by the Sirenes, 
and Circes. And amonges all in that shyp there was but one 
Vlysses, and yet he hadde done to as the other dyd, yf a 
goddesse had not taught hym : And so lykewyse I thinke, they 
be easye to numbre, whiche passe by playing honestlye, excepte 
the grace of God saue and kepe them. Therfore they that 
wyll not go to farre in playing, let them folowe this cousell of 
the Poete. 

Stoppe the begynninges. 

PHILOLO. Well, or you go any further, I pray you tell me 
this one thing : Doo ye speake agaynste meane mennes playinge 
onelye, or agaynste greate mennes playinge to, or put you anye 
difference betwixte them ? TOXOPHI. If I shulde excuse 
my selfe herein, and saye that I spake of the one, and not of 
the other, I feare leaste I shoulde as fondlye excuse my selfe, as 
a certayne preacher dyd, whome I hearde vpon a tyme speake 
agaynste manye abuses, (as he sayde) and at last he spake 
agaynst candelles, and then he fearynge, least some men woulde 
haue bene angrye and offended with him, naye sayeth he, you 
must take me as I meane: I speake not agaynst greate candelles, 
but agaynst lytle candels, for they be not all one (q'he) I promyse 
you : And so euerye man laughed him to scorne. 

In dede as for greate men, and greate mennes matters, I lyst 
not greatlye to meddle. Yet this I woulde wysshe that all 
great men in Englande had red ouer diligentlye the Pardoners 
tale in Chaucer, and there they shoulde perceyue and se, howe 
moche suche games stande with theyr worshyppe, howe great 
soeuer they be. What great men do, be it good or yll, meane 
men communelye loue to followe, as many learned men in many 
places do saye, and daylye experience doth playnelye shewe, in 
costlye apparell and other lyke matters. 

Therfore, seing that Lordes be lanternes to leade the lyfe 
of meane men, by their example, eyther to goodnesse or 
badnesse, to whether soeuer they liste : and seinge also they 
haue libertie to lyste what they will, I pray God they haue will 
to list that which is good, and as for their playing, I wyll make 
an ende with this saying of Chaucer. 

Lordes might finde them other maner of pleye 
Honest ynough to driue the daye aivaye. 



3© Toxophilus. A. 

But to be shorte, the best medicine for all sortes of men 
both high and lowe, yonge and oulde, to put awaye suche 
vnlawfull games is by the contrarye, lykewyse as all physicions 
do alowe in physike. So let youthe in steade of suche vnlefull 
games, whiche stande by ydlenesse, by solitarinesse, and corners, 
by night and darkenesse, by fortune & chaunce, by crafte and 
subtiltie, vse suche pastimes as stand by labour : vpon the daye 
light, in open syght of men, hauynge suche an ende as is come 
to by coning, rather then by crafte : and so shulde vertue 
encrease, and vice decaye. For contrarye pastimes, must nedes 
worke contrary mindes in men, as all other contrary thinges 
doo. 

And thus we se Philologe, that shoting is not onely the 
moost holesome exercise for the bodye, the moost honest pastime 
for the mynde, and that for all sortes of men : But also it is a 
moost redy medicine, to purge the hole realme of suche pestilent 
gamning, wherw' many tymes it is sore troubled and ill at 
ease. 

PHI, The more honestie you haue proued by shoting 
Toxophile^ and the more you haue perswaded me to loue it, so 
moche truly the soryer haue you made me with this last sentence 
of yours, wherby you plainly proue that a man maye not 
greatly vse it. For if shoting be a medicine (as you saye that 
it is) it maye not be vsed very oft, lest a man shuld hurt him 
selfe with all, as medicines moche occupyed doo. For Aristotle 
him selfe sayeth, that medicines be no meate to lyue withall : and 
thus shoting by the same reason, maye not be moche occupyed, 
TOX, You playe your oulde wontes Philologe, in dalying 
with other mens wittes, not so moche to proue youre owne 
matter, as to proue what other me can say. But where you 
thinke that I take awaye moche vse of shoting, in lykening it 
to a medicine : bycause men vse not medicines euery daye, for 
so shoulde their bodyes be hurt : I rather proue daylye vse of 
shoting therby. For although Aristotle sayeth that some 
medicines be no meate to lyue withall, whiche is true : Yet 
Hippocrates sayth that our daylye meates be 

d'ture- medicines, to withstande euyll withall, whiche is 

as true. For he maketh two kyndes of medicines, 

one our meate that we vse dailye, whiche purgeth softlye and 

slowlye, and in this similitude maye shoting be called a medicine, 



'The schole of shoting. 3 1 

wherwith dayly a man maye purge and take away al vnlefull de- 
syres to other vnlefull pastymes, as I proued before. The other is 
a quicke purging medicine, and seldomer to be occupyed, excepte 
the matter be greater, and I coulde describe the nature of a quicke 
medicine, which shoulde within a whyle purge and plucke oute all 
the vnthriftie games in the Realme, through which the commune 
wealth oftentymes is sycke. For not onely good quicke wittes 
to learnyng be thereby brought out of frame, and quite marred : 
but also manlye wittes, either to attempt matters of high courage 
in warre tyme, or els to atcheue matters of weyght and wisdome 
in peace tyme, be made therby very quaisie and faynt. For 
loke throughoute all histories written in Greke, Latyne, or other 
language, and you shal neuer finde that realme prosper in the 
whiche suche ydle pastymes are vsed. As concerning the 
medicyne, although some wolde be miscontent, if they hearde 
me meddle anye thynge with it : Yet betwixte you and me 
here alone, I maye the boldlyer saye my fantasie, and the rather 
bycause I wyll onelye wysh for it, whiche standeth with 
honestie, not determyne of it which belongeth to authoritie. 
The medicine is this, that wolde to God and the kynge, all 
these vnthriftie ydle pastymes, whiche be very bugges, that the 
Psalme meaneth on, walking on the nyght and in 
corners, were made felonye, and some of that ^"' "^' ^°' 

punyshment ordeyned for them, which is appoynted for the 
forgers and falsifyers of the kynges coyne. Which punishment 
is not by me now inuented, but longe agoo, by 
the mooste noble oratour Demosthenes : which fra'Teitine 
meruayleth greatly that deathe is appoynted for 
falsifyers and forgers of the coyne, and not as greate punysh- 
mente ordeyned for them, whiche by theyr meanes forges and 
falsifyes the commune wealthe. And I suppose that there is 
no one thyng that chaungeth sooner the golden and syluer 
wyttes of men into copperye & brassye wayes then dising and 
suche vnlefull pastymes. 

And this quicke medicine I beleue wolde so throwlye pourge 
them, that the daylye medicines, as shoting and other pastymes 
ioyned with honest labour shoulde easelyer withstande them. 
PHIL. The excellent commodityes of shotynge in peace tyme, 
Toxophile, you haue very wel and sufficiently declared. Wherby 
you haue so persuaded me, that God wyllyng hereafter I wyll 



3 2 Toxophilus. A. 

both loue it the better, and also vse it the ofter. For as moche 
as I can gather of all this communication of ours, the tunge, 
the nose, the handes and the feete be no fytter membres, or 
instrumentes for the body of a man, then is shotinge for the 
hole bodye of the realme. God hath made the partes of men 
which be best and moost neccessarye, to serue, not for one 
purpose onelye, but for manye: as the tungue for speaking and 
tasting, the nose for smelling, and also for auoyding of all 
excremetes, which faule oute of the heed, the handes for 
receyuynge of good thinges, and for puttyng of all harmefull 
thinges, from the bodye. So shotinge is an exercyse of healthe, 
a pastyme of honest pleasure, and suche one also that stoppeth 
or auoydeth all noysome games gathered and encreased by ill 
rule, as noughtye humours be, whiche hurte and corrupte sore 
that parte of the realme, wherin they do remayne. 

But now if you can shewe but halfe so moche profyte in 

warre of shotynge, as you haue proued pleasure in peace, then 

wyll I surelye iudge that there be fewe thinges that haue so 

manifolde commodities, and vses ioyned vnto them as it hath. 

Q TOX. The vpperhande in warre, nexte the goodnesse of 

God (of whome al viftorie commeth, as scripture sayth) 

standeth chefelye in thre thinges : in the wysedome of the 

Prince, in the sleyghtes and pollicies of the 

' ■ ^' capitaynes, and in the strength and cherefull 

forwardnesse of the souldyers. A Prince in his herte must 

be full of mercy and peace, a vertue moost pleasaunt to Christ, 

moost agreable to mans nature, moost profytable for ryche 

and poore. 

For tha the riche man enioyeth with great pleasure that 

which he hath : the poore may obtayne with his labour, that 

which he lacketh. And although there is nothing worse then 

war, wherof it taketh his name, through the which great men 

be in daunger, meane men without succoure, ryche men in 

feare, bycause they haue somwhat : poore men in care, bycause 

they haue nothing: And so euery man in thought and miserie : 

Yet it is a ciuill medicine, wherewith a prince maye from the 

bodye of his commune wealth, put of that daunger whiche maye 

faule: or elles recouer agayne, whatsoeuer it hath lost. And 

therfore as Isocrates doth save, a prince must be 
Ad Nico. . ^ ,. . -' ' r , , 

a warriour m two thmges, m connmge and know- 



The schole of shoting. 33 

ledge of all sleyghtes and feates of warre, and in hauing al 
necessarye habilimentes belongyng to the same, Whiche matter 
to entreate at large, were ouerlonge at this tyme to declare, & 
ouermoche for my learning to perfourme. 

After the wisdome of the prince, are valiaunt capitaynes 
moost necessary in warre, whose office and dutye is to knowe 
all sleightes and pollicies for all kyndes of warre, which they 
maye learne .ii. wayes, either in daylye folowing and haunting 
the warres or els bicause wisdome bought with strypes, is many 
tymes ouercostlye : they maye bestowe some tyme in Vegetius, 
which entreateth suche matters in Latin metelye well, or rather 
in Polyjnus, and Leo the Emperour, which setteth out al pollicies 
and duties of capitaynes in the Greke tunge very excellentlye. 
But chefely I wolde wisshe and (if I were of authoritie) I wolde 
counsel al the yong gentlemen of this realme, neuer to lay out 
of theyr handes .ii. authors Xenophon in Greke, and Cfsar in 
Latyn, where in they shulde folowe noble Scipio 
Africanus, as Tullie doeth saye: In whiche .ii. 
authours, besydes eloquence a thing moste necessary of all 
other, for a captayne, they shulde learne the hole course of 
warre, whiche those .ii. noble menne dyd not more wyselye 
wryte for other men to learne, than they dyd manfully excercise 
in the fyelde, for other men to folowe. 

The strengthe of war lyeth in the souldier, whose chyefe 
prayse and vertue, is obedience towarde his 
captayne, sayth Plato. And Xenophon being a %lf7'^^' 
gentyle authour, moste christianlye doeth saye, Xoi A°-es 
euen by these woordes, that that souldyer whiche 
firste serueth god, & than obeyeth hys captayne, maye boldelie 
with all courage, hope to ouerthrowe his enemy. Agayne, w^out 
obedience, neither valiant man, stout horse, nor 
goodly harnes doth any good at al. Which obedi- ' 

ence of y^ souldier toward his captane, brought the hole empyre 
of ye worlde, into the Romanes hades, & whan it was brought, 
kepte it lenger, than euer it was kept in any comon welth 
before or after. 

And this to be true, Scipio Africanus, the moste noble 
captayne that euer was amonge the Romaynes, pi t . u 
shewed very playnly, what tyme as he went in to 
Afryke, to destroye Cartage. For he restinge hys hooste by 



34 Toxophilus. A. 

the waye in Sicilie, a daye or twoo, and at a tyme standing 
with a great man of Sicilie, and looking on his souldiers howe 
they exercised them selues in kepyng of araye, and other feates, 
the gentleman of Sicilie asked Scipio, wherein laye hys chyefe 
hope to ouercome Cartage : He answered, in yonder feloes of 
myne, whom you se play: And why sayth the other, bycause 
sayeth Scipio, that if I comaunded them to runne in to the 
toppe of this high castel, and cast them selues doune backeward 
vpon these rockes, I am sure the[y] woulde do it. 

Salust also doth write, yt there were mo Romanes put to 

death of theyr captaynes for setting on theyr 

enemyes before they had licence, than were for 

running away out of the fyelde, before they had foughten. 

These two examples do proue, that amonges the Romaynes, 

the obedience of the souldyer was wonderfull great, and the 

seueritie of the Captaynes, to se the same kepte wonderfull 

strayte. For they wel perceyued that an hoste full of obedyence, 

falleth as seldome into the handes of theyr enemies as that 

bodye fawleth into Jeoperdye, the whiche is ruled by reason. 

Reason and Rulers beynge lyke in offyce, (for the one ruleth 

the body of man, the other ruleth the bodye of the comon 

wealthe) ought to be lyke of condicions, and oughte to be 

obeyed in all maner of matters. Obedience is nourysshed by 

feare and loue, Feare is kepte in by true iustice and equitie, 

Loue is gotten by wisdome, ioyned w^ liberalitie : For where 

a souldyer seeth ryghteousenesse so rule, that a man can neyther 

do wronge nor yet take wronge, and that his capitayne for his 

wysedome, can mayntayne hym, & for his liberalitie will 

mayntayne him, he must nedes both loue him & feare him, 

of the whiche procedeth true & vnfayned obedience. After 

this inwarde vertue, the nexte good poynt in a souldier, is to 

haue and to handle his weapo wel, whereof the one must be at 

the appoyntment of the captayne, the other lyeth in the courage 

and exercise of the souldier : yet of al weapos the best is, as 

- „ , Euripides doth say, wherw* with leest dauger of 

our self we maye hurt our enemye moost. And 

that is (as I suppose) artillarie. Artillarie now a dayes is taken 

for .ii. thinges: Gunnes & Bowes, which how moch they do in 

war, both dayly experience doeth teache, and also Peter Nanius 

a learned man of Louayn, in a certayne dialoge doth very well 



The schole of shoting. 35 

set out, wherin this is most notable, that when he hath shewed 
excedyng commodities of both, and some discomodities of 
gunnes, as infinite cost and charge, combersome carriage : and 
yf they be greate, the vncertayne leuelyng, the peryll of them 
that stand by them, the esyer auoydyng by them that stande far 
of: & yf they be lytle, the lesse both feare and ieoperdy is in 
them, besyde all contrary wether and wynde, whiche hyndereth 
them not a lytle : yet of all shotyng he can not reherse one 
discommoditie. PHI. That I meruayle greatly at, seing 
Nannius is so well learned, & so exercised in the authours 
of both the tuges : for I my selfe do remembre that shotying 
in war is but smally praysed, and that of diuers captaynes in 
dyuers authors. For first in Euripides (whom you so highly 
prayse) and very well, for Tullie thynketh euerye verse in him 
to be an authoritie, what I praye you, doth Lycus that ouer- 
came Thebes, say as concernyng shoting ? whose words as farre 
as I remembre, be these, or not muche vnlyke. 

What prayse hath he at al^ whiche neuer durst ablde^ 
The dint of a speares poynt thrust against his side 
Nor neuer bouldlie huckeler bare yet in his lefte hande 
Face to face his enemies bront stiffelie to wythstande^ Eunp.m 
But alwaye trusteth to a bovue and to a fethered sticke 
Harnes euer most fit for him which to fie is quicke^ 
Bowe and shafte is Armoure metest for a cowarde 
Which dare not ones abide the bronte of battel sharpe is' harde. 

But he a man of manhode most is by mine assent 
Which with harte and corage boulde^ fuUie hath him bent^ 
His enemies looke in euery stoure floutelie to a bide^ 
Face to face^ and fote to fote^ tide what maye be tide. 

Agayne Teucer the best Archer amonges all the Grecians, 
in Sophocles is called of Menelaus, a boweman, & 
a shooter as in villavnie and reproche, to be a °^ ^^ 

,. r ..-' T,,^ r>j9 Aia. flag. 

thmg or no price m warre. Moreouer randar 

the best shooter in the worlde, whome Apollo hym selfe 

taught to shoote, bothe he and his shotynge is 

quyte contemned in Homer, in so much that 

Homer (which vnder a made fable doth alwayes hyde hys 

iudgement of thinges) doeth make Pandarus him selfe crye out 

of shooting, and cast his bowe awaye, and take him to a speare, 

c 2 



^6 T'oxophilus. A. 

makynge a vowe that if euer he came home, he woulde breake 
his shaftes, h burne his bowe, lamentyng greatly, that he was 
so fonde to leaue at home his horse and charyot wyth other 
weapons, for the trust yt he had in his bowe. Homer signifieng 
therby, that men shoulde leue shoting out of warre, and take 
them to other wepons more fitte and able for the same, and I 
trowe Pandarus woordes be muche what after thys sorte. 

/// chaunce ill lucke me hyther broughte 
III fortune me that daye befell^ 
Whan first my bowe fro the pynne I roughte 
For HeSiors sake^ the Grekes to quell. 

But yf that God so for me shap 
That home agayne I maye ones come^ 
Let me neuer inioye that hap., 
Nor euer twyse looke on the sonne^ 
If bowe and shaftes I do not burne 
JVhyche nowe so euel doth serue my turne. 

But to let passe al Poetes, what can be sorer said agaynst 

any thing, than the iudgement of Cyrus is agaynst shotynge, 

whiche doth cause his Persians beyng the best 

/ T 6^ shooters to laye awaye theyr bowes and take them 

to sweardes and buckelers, speares and dartes, and 

other lyke hande weapons. The which thing Xenophon so 

wyse a philosopher, so experte a captayne in warre hym selfe, 

woulde neuer haue written, and specially in that booke wherin 

he purposed to shewe, as Tullie sayeth in dede, not the true 

historie, but the example of a perfite wise prince 

Eput.x.ad ^j^j comon welthe, excepte that iudgement of 

■ chaugyng Artillerie, in to other wepons, he had 

alwayes thought best to be folowed, in all warre. Whose 

counsell the Parthians dyd folowe, whan they 

Plutarch chased Antonie ouer the moutaines of Media, 

whiche being the best shoters of the worlde, lefte 

theyr bowes, and toke them to speares and morispikes. 

And these fewe examples I trowe, of the best shooters, do 
well proue that the best shotinge is not the best thinge as you 
call it in warre. TOX. As concernynge your first example, 
taken oute of Euripides, I maruayle you wyl bring it for ye 



The schole of shoting. 37 

disprayse of shotyng, seyng Euripides doth make those verses, 
not bicause he thinlceth the true, but bicause he thinketh them 
fit for the person that spake them. For in dede his true iudge- 
ment of shoting, he doth expresse by & by after in the oratio of 
the noble captaine Amphytrio agaynste Lycus, wherein a man 
maye doubte, whether he hath more eloquentlye confuted 
Lycus sayenge, or more worthelye sette oute the prayse of 
shootynge. And as I am aduised, his woordes be muche 
hereafter as I shall saye. 

Against the wittie gifte of shotinge in a howe 
Fonde and leude woordes thou leudlie doest out throwe^ Hax'fur 
IVhiche^ if thou wilte heare of me a woorde or twayne 
^uickUe thou mayst learne howe fondlie thou doest blame^ 

Firste he that with his harneis him selfe doth wal abouty 
That scarce is lefte one hole through which he may pepe out^ 
Such bondmen to their harneis to fight are nothinge mete 
But sonest of a I other are troden vnder fete. 
Yf he be stronge^ his felovves faynt^ in whome he putteth his trusty 
So loded with his harneis must nedes lie in the dust^ 
Nor yet fro death he can not starte^ if ones his weapon breke^ 
Howe stoute^ howe strongs howe great^ howe longe^ 

so euer be sue he a freke. 
But who so euer can handle a bowe 

sturdie stiffe and stronge 
Wherwith lyke hayle manie shaftes he shootes 

into the thickest thronge : 
This profite he takes, that standing a far 

his enetnie he maye spill 
Whan he and his full safe shall stande 

out of all daunger and ill. 
And this in IVar is wisedome moste, which 

workes our enemies woo. 
Whan we shal be far from all feare 

and ieoperdie of our foo. 

Secondarily euen as I do not greatlye regarde what Menelaus 
doth say in Sophocles to Teucer, bycause he spake it bothe in 
anger, and also to hym that he hated, euen so doo I remembre 
very well in Homer, that when He6lor and the Troians woulde 



38 Toxophilus. A. 

haue set fyre on the greke shippes, Teucer with his bowe made 

„. , them recule baclce agayne, when Menelaus tooke 

Ihad. 8. , . u- f . A 

hym to his reete, and ranne awaye. 

Thirdlye as concerning Pandarus, Homer doth not disprayse 
the noble gyfte of shotynge, but therby euery man is taught, 
that whatsoeuer, and how good soeuer a weapon a man doth 
vse in war, yi he be hym selfe a couetouse wretche, 
a foole wythoute counsell, a peacebreaker as Pan- 
darus was, at last he shall throughe the punishment of God fall 
into his enemyes handes, as Pandarus dydde, whome Diomedes 
throughe the helpe of Minerua miserablye slue. 

And bycause you make mencion of Homer, & Troye 
matters, what can be more prayse for anye thynge, I praye 
you, than that is for shootyng, that Troye coulde neuer be 
destroyed without the helpe of Hercules shaftes, whiche thinge 
doeth signifie, that although al the worlde were gathered in an 
army togyther, yet without shotinge they can neuer come to 
theyr purpose, as Vlysses in Sophocles very plainlye doth saye 
vnto Pyrrhus, as concernyng Hercules shaftes to be caried vnto 
Troye. 

Soph. phil. Tsfor you without them., nor without you they do ought. 

Fourthlye where as Cyrus dyd chaunge parte of his bowe- 

men, wherof he had plentie, into other me of 

Insiit 6^' warre, wherof he lacked, I will not greatlye 

dispute whether Cyrus did well in that poynt in 

those dayes or no, bycause it is not playne in Xenophon howe 

strong shooters the Persians were, what bowes they had, what 

shaftes and heades they occupyed, what kynde of warre theyr 

enemies vsed. 

But trulye as for the Parthians, it is playne, in Plutarche, 

that in chaungyng theyr bowes in to speares, they 

Anton ' brought theyr selfe into vtter destrucSlion. For 

when they had chased the Romaynes many a 

myle, through reason of theyr bowes, at the last the Romaynes 

ashamed of their fleing, and remembrynge theyr owlde noble- 

nesse and courage, ymagined thys waye, that they woulde 

kneele downe on theyr knees, and so couer all theyr body wyth 

theyr shyldes and targattes, that the Parthians shaftes might 

slyde ouer them, 6c do them no harme, whiche thing when the 



The schole of shoting, 39 

Partias perceyued, thinking that y^ Romaynes were forweryed 
with laboure, watche, and hiigre : they layed downe their bowes, 
and toke speres in their handes, and so ranne vpon them : but 
the Romaynes perceyuinge them without their bowes, rose vp 
manfully, and slewe them euery mother son, saue a {^-^t that 
saued them selues with runnyng awaye. And herein our 
archers of Englande far passe the Parthians, which for suche 
a purpose, whe they shall come to hande strokes, hath euer 
redy, eyther at his backe hangyng, or els in his next felowes 
hande a leade maule, or suche lyke weapon, to beate downe his 
enemyes withall. PHI. Well Toxophile^ seinge that those 
examples whiche I had thought to haue ben cleane agaynst 
shoting, you haue thus turned to the hygh prayse of shotinge : 
and all this prayse that you haue now sayd on it, is rather come 
in by me tha sought for of you: let me heare I praye you nowe, 
those examples whiche you haue marked of shotyng your selfe : 
whereby you are, and thinke to persuade other, y' shoting is so 
good in warre. TOX. Exaples surely I haue marked very 
many : fro the begynning of tyme had in memorie of wrytyng, 
throughout all comune wealthes, & Empires of the worlde : 
wherof the mooste part I wyll passe ouer, lest I shoulde be 
tediouse : yet some I wyll touche, bycause they be notable, 
bothe for me to tell and you to heare. 

And bycause the storye of the lewes is for the tyme moost 
auncient, for the truthe mooste credible, it shalbe moost fitte to 
begynne with them. And although I knowe that God is the 
onely gyuer of viitorie, and not the weapons, for all strength 
and vicSorie (sayth ludas Machabeus) cometh from „ 

heauen: Yet surely strong weapons be the instru- '"^ ' ^' ^' 
mentes wherwith god doth ouercome y' parte, which he wil 
haue ouerthrowen. For God is well pleased wyth wyse and 
wittie feates of warre : As in metinge of enemies, for truse 
takyng, to haue priuilye in a bushment harnest men layd for 
feare of treason, as ludas Machabeus dyd wyth ., . 
Nicanor Demetrius capitayne : And to haue 
engines of warre to beat downe cities with all : and to haue 
scoutwatche amoges our enemyes to knowe their counsayles, 
as the noble captaine lonathas brother to ludas ., , 
Machabeus did in the countrie of Amathie against 
the mighty hoste of Demetrius. And besyde al this, god 



40 T'oxophilus. A. 

is pleased to haue goodly tombes for them which do noble 

feates in warre, and to haue their ymages made, and also their 

,, , cote Armours to be set aboue thevr tombes, to 

Mach. I. 1:5. , . Ill , ■ ■' y ,. ' 

their perpetual laude and memorie: as the valiaunt 

capitayne Symon, dyd cause to be made for his brethren ludas 

Machabeus and lonathas, whe they were slayne of the Getiles. 

And thus of what authoritie feates of warre, and strong 

weapons be, shortly and playnelye we maye learne : But 

amonges the lewes as I began to tell, I am sure there was 

nothing so occupyed, or dydde so moche good as bowes dyd : 

insomoche that when the lewes had any great vpperhande ouer 

the Gentiles, the fyrste thinge alwayes that the captayne dyd, 

was to exhort the people to gyue all the thankes to God for 

the vi6lorye, & not to theyr bowes, wherwith they 

' had slayne their enemyes : as it is playne that 

the noble losue dyd after so many kynges thrust downe by hym. 

God, when he promyseth helpe to the lewes, he vseth no 

kynde of speakyng so moche as this, that he wyll bende his 

bowe, and die his shaftes in the Gentiles blood: 

whereby it is manifest, that eyther God wyll 
make the lewes shoote stronge shotes to ouerthrowe their 
enemies : or at leeste that shotinge is a woderful mightie thing 
in warre, whervnto ye hygh power of God is lykened. Dauid 

in the Psalmes calleth bowes the vessels of death, 
sa . 7. 63. ^ bytter thinge, & in an other place a myghty 

power, and other wayes mo, which I wyll let 
passe, bycause euerye man readeth them daylye : But yet one 
place of scripture I must nedes remembre, which is more 
notable for y^ prayse of shoting, then any yt euer I red in any 

other storie, and that is, when Saul was slayne of 

^ ■ ■3'' ye Philistians being mightie bowmen, and lonathas 

his Sonne with him, that was so good a shoter, as ye scripture 

sayth, that he neuer shot shafte in vayne, and yt the kyngdome 

after Saules deathe came vnto Dauid : the first statute & lawe 

that euer Dauid made after he was king, was this, 

that al ye children of Israel shulde learne to shote, 
according to a lawe made many a daye before yt tyme for the 
setting out of shoting as it is written (sayeth Scripture) in libra 
lustorum^ whiche booke we haue not nowe : And thus we se 
plainelye what greate vse of shoting, and what prouision euen 



The schole of shottng. 41 

from the begynnynge of the worlde for shotyng, was amonge 
the lewes. 

The Ethiopians which inhabite the furthest part South in 
the worlde, were wonderful! bowmen : in somoche that when 
Cambyses king of Persie being in Egipt, sent 
certayne ambassadours into Ethiope to the kynge Thalia '" 
there, with many great gyftes : the king of 
Ethiop perceyuinge them to be espyes, toke them vp sharpely, 
and blamed Cambyses greatly for such vniust enterprises : but 
after that he had princely entertayned them, he sent for a bowe, 
and bente it and drewe it, and then vnbent it agayne, and 
sayde vnto the ambassadours, you shall comende me to Cam- 
byses, and gyue him this bowe fro me, and byd him when any 
Persian can shote in this bowe, let him set vpon the Ethiopians : 
In the meane whyle let hym gyue thankes vnto God, whiche 
doth not put in the Ethiopias mynde to coquere any other 
mans lande. This bowe, when it came amonge the Persians, 
neuer one man in suche an infinite host (as Herodotus doth 
saye) could styrre the stryng, saue onely Smerdis the brother of 
Cambyses, whiche styrred it two fingers, and no further : for the 
which a6l Cambyses had suche enuy at him, that he afterward 
slewe him : as doth appeare in the storye. 

Sesostris the moost mightie king that euer was in Egipt, ouer- 
came a great parte of the worlde, and that by archers : he subdued 
the Arabians, the lues, the Assyrians : he wet farther into Scythia 
then any man els : he ouercame Thracia, euen to the borders of 
Germanie. And in token how he ouercame al men he set vp in 
many places great ymages to his owne lykenesse, hauynge in the 
one hande a bowe, in the other a sharpe heeded Herod in 
shafte : that men myght knowe, what weapon Euterpe. 
his hooste vsed, in conqueryng so manye people. Dwd. Sic. 2 

Cyrus, counted as a god amonges the Gentyles, for his 
noblenesse and felicitie in warre : yet at the last 
when he set vpon the Massagetanes (which people tro . t c to. 
neuer went without their bowe nor their quiuer, nether in 
warre nor peace) he and all his were slayne, and that by 
shotyng, as appeareth in the storye. 

Poly crates the prince of Samos (a very little yle) was lorde ouer 
all the Greke sees, and withstode the power of the 
Persians, onely by the helpe of a thousande archers. ^^>'°'^- « '^'■"■^ 



42 Toxophilus. A. 

The people of Scythia, of all other men loued, and vsed 
moost shotyng, the hole rychesse and househoulde stuffe of a 
man in Scythia, was a yocke of oxen, a plough, his nagge and 
his dogge, his bowe and his quiuer : which quiuer was couered 
with the skynne of a man, which he toke or slewe fyrste in 
battayle. The Scythians to be inuincible by reason of their 
shotyng, the greate voyages of so manye noble conquerours 
spent in that countrie in vayne, doeth well proue : But 
specially that of Darius the myghtie kyng of Persie, which 
when he had taryed there a great space, and done no good, but 
had forweryed his hoste with trauayle and hunger : At last the 
men of Scythia sent an ambassadour with .iiii. 
MeTptim. gyftes: a byrde, a frogge, a mouse, and .v. 
shaftes. Darius meruaylyng at the straungenesse 
of the gyftes, asked the messenger what they signifyed : the 
messenger answered, that he had no further c5maundement, 
but onely to delyuer his gyftes, and retourne agayne with 
all spede : but I am sure (sayeth he) you Persians for your 
great wysdome, can soone boult out what they meane. When 
the messenger was gone, euery man began to say his verdite. 
Darius Judgement was this, that y*^' Scythians gaue ouer into the 
Persians handes, their lyues, theyr hole power, both by lande 
and see, signify inge by the mouse the earthe, by the frogge the 
water, in which they both liue, by ye birde their lyues which 
lyue in the ayer, by the shaft their hole power and Empire, that 
was maynteyned alwayes by shotinge. Gobryas a noble and 
wyse captayne amonges the Persians, was of a cleane cotrary 
minde, saying, nay not so, but the Sythias meane thus by their 
gyftes, that except we get vs wynges, and flye into the ayer 
lyke birdes, or run into y^ holes of the earth lyke myse, or els 
lye lurkyng in fennes & marisses lyke frogges, we shall neuer 
returne home agayne, before we be vtterly vndone with their 
shaftes : which sentence sanke so sore into their hertes, yt 
Darius with all spede possible, brake vp his campe, and gat hym 
Herod, iclio. selfe homewarde. Yet howe moche the Persians 
Xenoph. in them selues set by shotinge, wherby they en- 
cyrop. creased their empire so moche, doth appeare by 

Strab. i\. iij_ manifest reasons: firste that they brought 

vppe theyr youth in the schole of shoting, vnto .xx. yere of 
age, as dyuerse noble Greke authours do saye. 



The schole of shoting. 43 

Agayne, bycause the noble kyng Darius thought hym selfe 
to be praysed by nothyng so moch, as to be counted a good 
shoter, as doth appeare by his sepulchre, wherin he caused to be 
written this sentence : 

Darius the King lieth buried here Strab. 15. 

'That in shoting and riding had neuer pere. 

Thirdlye the coyne of the Persians, both golde & siluer had 
the Amies of Persie vpon it, as is customably vsed 
in other realmes, and that was bow and arowes : Plutarch, in 
by the which feate they declared, how moch they Agesila. 
set by them. 

The Grecians also, but specially the noble Athenienses, had 
all their strength Ivinee in Artillarie : and for ^. . , 

yt purpose the citie of Athes had a M. men which 
were onely archers, in dayly wages, to watche and kepe the 
citie fro al ieoperdie & sodein dauger : which archers also 
shuld cary to priso & warde any misdoer at y*^ comaundemet 
of the hygh officers, as playnlye doth appeare in Plato. And 
surely the bowmen of Athens did woderful feates 
in many battels, but specially when Demosthenes , '^ ° ^"- P'^°- 
the valiaut captayne slue and toke prisoners all 
the Lacedemonians besyde y^ citie of Pylos, where Nestor 
somtyme was lord : the shaftes went so thicke 
that daye (sayth Thucydides) that no man could '^'^ ^ ' ^' 

se theyr enemies. A Lacedemonian taken prisoner, was asked 
of one at Athens, whether they were stoute fellowes that were 
slayne or no, of the Lacedemonians : he answered nothing els 
but this : make moche of those shaftes of youres, for they 
knowe neyther stoute nor vnstoute : meanynge therby, that no 
man (though he were neuer so stout) came in their walke, that 
escaped without death. 

Herodotus descrybing the mighty boost of Xerxes especially 
doth marke out, what bowes and shaftes they vsed, 
signifying yt therin lay their chefe stregth. And pj,° ' '" 
at the same tyme Attossa, mother of Xerxes, wyfe 
to Darius, and doughter of Cyrus, doeth enquire p i - p 
(as Aeschylus sheweth in a Tragedie) of a cer- 
tayne messenger that came from Xerxes hoste, what stronge and 
fearful! bowes the Grecians vsed : wherby it is playne, that 



44 Toxophilus. A. 

Artillarie was the thing, wherin both Europe and Asia at those 

dayes trusted moost vppon. 

The best parte of Alexanders hoste were archers as playnelye 

doth appeare by Arianus, and other yt wrote his life : and those 

so stronge archers, that they onely, sundrye tymes ouercame 

. . „ their enemies, afore any other neded to fyght : as 

Arianus. S. -ii ^ i-ixt i r 

was sene m the battayl which Nearchus one or 

Alexanders capitaynes had besyde the ryuer of Thomeron. 

And therfore as concerning all these kyngdomes and comune 

wealthes, I maye coclude with this sentence of Plinie, whose 

wordes be, as I suppose thus : If any man woulde 
Cati' 6 remebre the Ethiopians, Egyptians, Arabians, 

the men of Inde, of Scythia, so many people 
in ye east of the Sarmatianes, and all the kyngdomes of the 
Parthians, he shall well perceyue halfe the parte of the worlde, 
to lyue in subie6lion, ouercome by the myght and power of 
shotinge. 

In the commune wealth of Rome, which exceded all other 
in vertue, noblenesse, and dominion litle metion is made of 
shoting, not bycause it was litle vsed amonges them, but rather 
bycause it was bothe so necessarye and comune, that it was 
thought a thing not necessarye or requyred of anye man to be 
spoken vpon, as if a man shoulde describe a greate feaste, 
he woulde not ones name bread, although it be mooste common 
and necessarye of all : but surely yf a feaste beynge neuer 
so great, lacked bread, or had fewsty and noughty bread, all the 
other daynties shulde be vnsauery, and litle regarded, and than 
woulde men talke of the commodity of bread, whan they lacke 
it, that would not ones name it afore, whan they had it : And 
euen so dyd the Romaynes as concernynge shootyng, Seldome 
is shootinge named, and yet it dyd the moste good in warre, 
as didde appere, verye playnlye in that battell, whiche 
Scipio Aphrican^ had with the Numantines in Spayne, 
whome he coulde neuer ouercome, before he sette bowemen 
amonges his horse men, by whose myght they were clean van- 
quished. 

Agayne, Tiberius fyghtynge with Armenius and Ing- 
_, „ uiomerus princis of Germanie, had one wing of 

archers on horseback, an other of archers on foot, 
by whose might the Germanes were slayne downe ryghte, and 



The schole of shoting. 45 

so scattered and beate oute of the feelde, that the chase lasted 
• x. myles, the Germanes clame vp in to trees for feare, but the 
Romanes dyd fetche them downe with theyr shaftes as they had 
be birdes, in whyche battell the Romaynes lost fewe or none, as 
dothe appeare in the historie. 

But as I began to saye, the Romaynes dyd not so muche 
prayse the goodnesse of shootinge, whan they had it, as they 
dyd lament the laclce of it, whan they wanted it, as Leo the .v. 
the noble Emperour doth playnly testifie in sundrie places in 
those boices whiche he wrote in Grelce, of the sleyghtes and 
pollicies of warre. PHIL. Surelie of that booke I haue not 
heard before, and howe came you to the syghte of it. TOX. 
The booke is rare trulie, but this laste yeare when master 
Cheke translated the sayd booke out of greke in to Latin, to y^ 
kinges maiestie, he of his gentlenesse, wolde haue me very ofte 
in hys chaber, and for the familiaritie that I had wyth hym, 
more than manye other, woulde suffer me to reade of it, whan 
I woulde, the whiche thinge to do, surelye I was very desirous 
and glad, because of the excellent handelynge of all thynges, 
that euer he taketh in hande. And verily Philologe^ as ofte as 
I remembre the departynge of that man from the vniuersitie, 
(whiche thinge I do not seldome) so ofte do 1 well perceyue our 
moste helpe and furtheraunce to learnynge, to haue gon awaye 
with him. For by ye great comoditie y^ we toke in hearyng 
hym reade priuatly in his chambre, all Homer, Sophocles, and 
Euripides, Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Isocrates and 
Plato, we feele the great discommoditie in not hearynge of 
hym, Aristotle & Demosthenes, whiche ii. authours with all 
diligence last of all he thought to haue redde vnto us. And 
when I consider howe manye men he succoured with his helpe, 
& hys ayde to abyde here for learninge, and howe all men were 
prouoked and styrred vp, by his councell and daylye example, 
howe they shulde come to learning, surely I perceyue that 
sentence of Plato to be true, which sayeth that there is nothyng 
better in any common wealthe, than that there shoulde be 
alwayes one or other, excellent passyng man, whose lyfe and 
vertue, shoulde plucke forwarde the will, diligence, laboure and 
hope of all other, that folowyng his footesteppes, they myght 
comme to the same ende, wherevnto labour, lerning & vertue, 
had coueied him before. The great hinderance of learning, in 



46 'Toxophilus. A. 

laclcinge thys man greatly I shulde lament, if this discomoditie 
of oures, were not ioyned with the comoditie & welth, of y^ hole 
realme, for which purpose, our noble king full of wysedome 
hath called vp this excellent man full of learnynge, to teache 
noble prince Edwarde, an office ful of hope, comforte & solace 
to al true hertes of England : For whome al England dayly 
doth praye, y^ he passing his Tutour in learnyng & know- 
ledge, folowynge his father in wisedonie &: felicitie, accordyng 
to yt example which is set afore his eyes, may so set out and 
mayntayne goddes worde to the abolishment of al papistry, 
the confusion of al heresie, that therby he feared of his en- 
nemies, loued of al his subie6les, maye bring to his own glory, 
immortal fame & memorie, to this realme, welthe, honour 
& felicitie, to true and vnfayned religion perpetuall peace, 
Concorde and vnitie. 

But to retourne to shootynge agayne, what Leo sayeth of 
shootynge amonges the Romaynes, hys woordes, be so muche for 
the prayse of shootynge, and the booke also so rare to be gotten, 
that I learned the places by harte, whyche be as I 
suppose, euen thus. Fyrste in his sixte booke, 
as concerning what barneys is best : Lette all the youth of" 
Rome be compelled to vse shootyng, eyther more or lesse, & 
alwayes to bear theyr bowe & theyr quiuer aboute with them, 
untyll they be .xl. yeares oulde. 

For sithens shootynge was necgle6led and decayed among 
the Romaynes, many a battayle and fyelde hath been loste. 
Agayne in the 11. booke and .50. chapiter, (I call 
that by bookes and chapiters, whyche the greke 
booke deuideth by chapiters and paragraphes) Let your soul- 
dyers haue theyr weapons wel appoynted and trimmed, but 
aboue all other thynges regarde moste shootinge, and therfore 
lette men when there is no warre, vse shootynge at home : For 
the leauynge of, onely of shotynge, hath broughte in ruyne and 
decaye, the hole Empire of Rome. Afterwarde he commaund- 
eth agayne, hys capitayne by these wordes : Arme your hoste 
as I haue appoynted you, but specially with bowe 
eo. I . ■zi. ^^j arrowes plentie. For shootynge is a thinge 
of muche myghte and power in warre, and chyefely agaynst the 
Sarracenes and Turkes, whiche people hath all their hope of 
vi6lorie in theyr bowe and shaftes : Besydes all this, in an other 



'T'he schole of shoting. 47 

place, he wryteth thus to his Captayne : Artillerie is easie to be 
prepared, and in time of great nede, a thing moste profitable, 
therfore we straytlye commaunde you to make proclamation to 
al men vnder our dominion, which be eyther in war or peace, 
to all cities, borowes and townes, and fynally to all 
maner of men, that euerye scare persone haue ^°' ^°' ^^' 
bowe and shaftes of his owne, & euerye house besyde this, to 
haue a standing bearyng bowe, and xl. shaftes for all nedes, and 
that they exercise them selues in holtes, hilles, and dales, playnes 
and wodes, for all maner of chaunces in warre. 

Howe muche shooting was vsed among the olde Romanes 
and what meanes noble captaynes and Emperou[r]s made, to 
haue it encrease amonge them, and what hurte came by the 
decaye of it, these wordes, of Leo the emperour, which in a 
maner I haue rehersed woorde for woorde, playnly doth declare. 
And yet shotynge, although they set neuer so muche by it, 
was neuer so good than, as it is nowe in Englande, whiche 
thing to be true, is very probable, in that Leo doth saye, that 
he woulde haue his souldiers take of theyr arrowe 
heads, and one shote at an other, for theyr ^°' '^' 

exercise, whiche playe yf Englyshe archers vsed, I thinke they 
shoulde fynde smal play and lesse pleasure in it at all. 

The great vpperhande maynteyned alwayes in warre by 
artillery, doeth appeare verye playnlye by this reason also, 
that whan the spanyardes, franchmen, and germanes, grekes, 
macedonians, and egyptians, eche contry vsing one singuler 
weapon, for whyche they were greatelye feared in warre, as the 
Spanyarde Lancea^ the Francheman Gesa^ the German Framea^ 
the Grecian Machera^ the Macedonian Sarissa^ yet coulde they 
not escape, but be subie6les to the Empire of Rome, whan the 
Parthians hauyng all theyr hope in artillerie, gaue no place to 
the, but ouercame the Romanes, offer than the Romaynes 
them, and kepte battel with them, many an hundred yeare, 
and slue the ryche Crassus and hys son wyth pi t ■ k ~ 
many a stoute Romayne more, with their bowes. m. Crass. &• 
They draue Marcus Antonius ouer the hylles of t M. Anto. 
Media & Armenia, to his great shame and reproch. ^^''- Spart. 
They slue luHanus Apostata, and Antoninus Caracalla, they 
helde in perpetual pryson, y^ most noble emperour Valerian in 
despite of all the Romaynes and many other princes, whiche 



48 'Toxophilus. A. 

wrote for his delyueraunce, as Bel solis called kynge of Icynges, 
Valerius kynge of Cadusia, Arthabesdes kyng of Armenia, and 
many other princes more, whom y^ Parthians by reason of 
theyr artillerie, regarded neuer one whitte, and thus with the 
Romaynes, I maye conclude, that the borders of theyr empyre 
were not at the sunne rysinge and sunne settynge, as Tullye 
sayeth : but so farre they went, as artillarie woulde gyue them 
leaue. For I thinke all the grounde that they had, eyther 
northewarde, farther than the borders of Scythia, or Easte- 
warde, farther than the borders of Parthia, a man myght haue 
boughte w^ a small deale of money, of whiche thynge surely 
shotyng was the cause. 

From the same contrie of Scythia the Gothians Hunnes, 
and Wandalians came wyth the same wepons of 
artillarie, as Paulus Diaconus doth saye, & so 
berafte Rome of her empyre wyth fyre, spoyle, & waste, so yt 
in suche a learned citie was lefte scarce one man behynde, that 
had learnynge or leysoure to leue in writinge to them whiche 
shoulde come after howe so noble an Empyre, in so shorte a 
whyle, by a rable of banyshed bondemen, wythoute all order 
and pollicie, saue onelye theyr naturalle and daylye excercise in 
artillarye, was broughte to suche thraldome and ruine. 

After them the Turkes hauing an other name, but yet the 
same people, borne in Scythia, brought vp onely 
in artillarie, by the same weapon haue subdued 
and beraft from the Christen men all Asia and Aphrike (to 
speake vpon,) and the moost noble countries of Europe, to the 
greate diminishing of Christe his religion, to the great reproche 
of cowardyse of al christianitie, a manifest token of gods high 
wrath & displeasure ouer the synne of the worlde, but 
speciallye amonges Christen men, which be on slepe made 
drunke with the frutes of the flesh, as infidelitie, disobedience 
to Goddes worde, and heresie, grudge, euelwyll, stryfe, con- 
tention, and priuie enuye, coueytousnesse, oppression, vn- 
mercifulnesse, with innumerable sortes of vnspeakeable daylye 
bawdrye : which thinges surely, yf God holde not his holy 
hande ouer vs, and plucke vs from them, wyl bryng vs to a 
more Turkishnesse and more beastlye blynde barbarousnesse : 
as callyng ill thinges good, and good thynges ill, contemnyng 
of knowledge & learnynge, settynge at nought, and hauyng for 



The schole of shoting. 49 

a fable, God and his high prouidence, wyll bring vs (I say) to 
a more vngracious Turkishnesse (if more Turkishnesse can be 
then this) tha if the Turkes had sworne, to bring al Turkye 
agaynst vs. For these frutes surelye must neades sprynge of 
suche seede, and suche effect nedes folowe of suche a cause : if 
reason, truthe, and God, be not altered, but as they are wont 
to be. For surely no Turkyshe power can ouerthrowe vs, if 
Turkysshe lyfe do not cast vs downe before. 

If god were wyth vs, it buted not the turke to be agaynst 
vs, but our vnfaythful sinfull lyuyng, which is the Turkes 
moder, and hath brought hym vp hitherto, muste nedes turne 
god from vs, because syn and he hath no felowshyp togither. 
If we banished ill liuyng out of christendome, I am sure the 
Turke shulde not onelye, not ouercome vs, but scarce haue an 
hole to runne in to, in his own countrye. 

But Christendome nowe I may tell you Philologe is muche 
lyke a man that hath an ytche on him, and lyeth droke also in 
his bed, and though a thefe come to the dore, and heaueth at 
it, to come in, and sleye hym, yet he lyeth in his bed, hauinge 
more pleasure to lye in a slumber and scratche him selfe wher 
it ytcheth euen to the harde bone, than he hath redynes to 
ryse up lustelye, & dryue him awaye that woulde robbe hym 
and sleye hym. But I truste Christe wyl so lyghten and lyfte 
vp Christen mennes eyes, that they shall not slepe to death, 
nor that the turke Christes open enemy, shall euer boste that 
he hath quyte ouerthrowen vs. But as I began to tell you, 
shootynge is the chefe thinge, wherewith God suffereth the 
turke to punysh our noughtie liuinge wyth all : 
The youthe there is brought vp in shotyng, his bu^^T ir^^' 
priuie garde for his own person, is bowmen, the 
might of theyr shootynge is wel knowen of the Spanyardes, 
whiche at the towne called Newecastell in Illirica, were quyte 
slayne vp, of the turkes arrowes : whan the Spanyardes had no 
vse of theyr gunnes, by reason of the rayne. And nowe last 
of all, the emperour his maiestie him selfe, at the Citie of 
Argier in Aphricke had his hooste sore handeled wyth the 
Turkes arrowes, when his gonnes were quite dispatched and 
stode him in no seruice, bycause of the raine that fell, where 
as in suche a chaunce of raine, yf he had had bowmen, 
surelye there shoote myghte peraduenture haue bene a litle 



5© T'oxophilus. A. 

hindred, but quite dispatched and marde, it coulde neuer haue 
bene. 

But as for the Turkes I am werie to talke of them partlye 
because I hate them, and partlye bycause I am now affe<3:ioned 
euen as it were a man that had bene longe wanderyng in 
strauge contries & would fayne be at home to se howe well his 
owne frendes prosper and leade theyr lyfe, and surely me 
thincke I am verie merye at my harte to remember how I shal 
finde at home in Englande amonges Englysh men, partlye 
by hystories, of them that haue gone afore vs, agayne by 
experience of the whych we knowe, & lyue with vs as 
greate noble feates of warre doone by Artillarye, as euer was 
done at any tyme in any other common welthe. And here I 
must nedes remeber a certaine Frechman called 

extor. Textor, that writeth a boke whiche he nameth 

Officina, wherin he weueth vp many brokenended matters 
and settes out much rifraft'e, pelfery, trumpery, baggage & 
beggerie ware clamparde vp of one that would seme to be fitter 
for a shop in dede than to write any boke. And amonges all 
other yll packed vp matters, he thrustes vp in a hepe togyther 
all the good shoters that euer hathe bene in the worlde as he 
saythe hymselfe, and yet I trow Philologe that of all the 
examples whiche I now by chauce haue rehersed out of the 
best Authors both in greke and latin, Textor hath but .ii. of 
them, which .ii. surely yf they were to reke agayne, I wold not 
ones name the, partly bycause they were noughtie persons, and 
shoting somoche the worse, bycause they loued it, as Domitian 
and Commodus the emperours : partelye bycause Textor hath 
them in his boke, on whom I loked on bychaunce in the 
bookebynders shope, thynkynge of no suche matter. And one 
thing I wyl say to you Philologe^ that if I were disposed to do 
it, and you hadde leysure to heare it, I coulde soone do as 
Textor doth, and reken vp suche a rable of shoters that be 
named here and there in poetes, as wolde holde vs talkyng 
whyles tomorowe : but my purpose was not to make mention 
of those which were feyned of Poetes for theyr pleasure, but of 
suche as were proued in histories for a truthe : but why I 
bringe in Textor was this : At laste when he hath rekened all 
shoters that he can, he sayeth thus, Petrus 
F.Crm.i.io. (^j-jj^jj-us wryteth, that the Scottes whiche dwell 



T'he schole of shoting. 5 1 

beyonde Englande be verye excellent shoters, and the best 
bowmen in warre. This sentence whether Crinitus wrote it 
more leudly of ignoraunce, or Textor confirmeth it more 
piuyshlye of enuye, may be called in question and doubte : but 
this surelye do I knowe very well that Textor hath both red in 
Gaguinus the Frenche hystorie, and also hath hearde his father 
or graundfather taulke (except perchauce he was borne and 
bred in a Cloyster) after that sort of the shotynge of Englisshe 
men, that Textor neded not to haue gone so piuishlye beyonde 
Englande for shoting, but myght very soone, eue in the first 
towne of Kent, haue founde suche plentie of shotinge, as is not 
in al the realme of Scotland agayne. The Scottes surely be 
good men of warre in theyr owne feate as can be : but as for 
shotinge, they neyther can vse it for any profyte, nor yet wil 
chalege it for any prayse, although master Textor of his 
getlenesse wold gyue it them. Textor neaded not to haue 
fylled vppe his booke with suche lyes, if he hadde read the 
storye of Scotlande, whiche loannes Maior doeth 
wryte : wherein he myghte haue learned, that 
when lames Stewart fyrst kyng of that name, at the Parliamet 
holden at Saynt lohnnes towne or Perthie, commaunded vnder 
payne of a greate forfyte, that euerye Scotte shoulde learne to 
shote : yet neyther the loue of theyr coutrie, the feare of their 
enemies, the auoydying of punishment, nor the receyuinge of 
anye profyte that myght come by it, coulde make them to be 
good Archers : whiche be vnapte and vnfytte therunto by Gods 
prouidence and nature. 

Therfore the Scottes them selues proue Textor a Iyer, 
bothe with authoritie and also daily experience, and by a 
certayne Prouerbe that they haue amonges them in theyr 
comunication, wherby they gyue the whole prayse of shotynge 
honestlye to Englysshe men, saying thus : that euery Englysshe 
Archer beareth vnder hys gyrdle .xxiiii. Scottes. 

But to lette Textor and the Scottes go : yet one thynge 
woulde I wysshe for the Scottes, and that is this, that seinge 
one God, one faythe, one compasse of the see, one lande and 
countrie, one tungue in speakynge, one maner and trade in 
lyuynge, lyke courage and stomake in war, lyke quicknesse of 
witte to learning, hath made Englande and Scotlande bothe 
one, they wolde suffre them no longer to be two : but cleane 

D 2 



5 2 T'oxophilus. A. 

gyue ouer the Pope, which selceth none other thinge (as many 
a noble and wyse Scottish man doth knowe) but to fede vp 
dissention & parties betwixt them & vs, procuryng that thynge 
to be two, which God, nature, and reason, wold haue one. 

Howe profytable suche an attonement were for Scotlande, 
Ih M ^^^ lohannes Maior, and Ector Boetius which 

ior. 6. hist. wrote the Scottes Chronicles do tell, & also all 
Scot. the gentlemen of Scotlande with the poore 

comunaltie, do wel knowe : So that there is nothing that 
stoppeth this matter, saue onelye a 'i^.v^o. freers, and suche lyke, 
whiche with the dregges of our Englysh Papistrie lurkyng now 
amonges them, study nothing els but to brewe battell and 
stryfe betwixte both the people : Wherby onely they hope to 
maynetayne theyr Papisticall kyngdome, to the destru6lion of 
the noble blood of Scotlande, that then they maye with 
authoritie do that, whiche neither noble man nor poore man in 
Scotlande yet doeth knowe. And as for Scottishe men and 
Englishe men be not enemyes by nature, but by custome : not 
by our good wyll, but by theyr owne follye : whiche shoulde 
take more honour in being coupled to Englande, then we 
shulde take profite in being ioyned to Scotlande. 

Wales being headye, and rebelling many yeares agaynst vs, 
laye wylde, vntylled, vnhabited, without lawe, iustice, ciuilitie 
and ordre : and then was amdges them more stealing tha true 
dealing, more suretie for them that studyed to be noughte, then 
quyetnesse for them that laboured to be good : when nowe 
thanked be God, and noble Englande, there is no countrie 
better inhabited, more ciuile, more diligent in honest craftes, 
to get bothe true and plentifull lyuynge withall. And this 
felicitie (my mynde gyueth me) within these few dayes shal 
chauce also to Scotlande, by the godly wysedome of oure 
mooste noble Prince kynge Henrye the .viii. by whome God 
hath wrought more wonderfull thynges then euer by any prince 
before : as banishing the byshop of Rome and herisie, bringyng 
to light god his worde and veritie, establishing suche iustice and 
equitie, through euery parte of this his realme, as neuer was 
sene afore. 

To suche a Prince of suche a wysdome, God hath 
reserued this mooste noble attonement : wherby neither we 
shalbe any more troubled, nor the Scottes with their best 



The schole of shoting. 53 

countries any more destroyed, nor ye see, whiche God or- 
deyneth profytable for both, shall from eyther be any more 
stopped : to the great quietnesse, wealth & felicitie of all the 
people dwellynge in this He, to the high renoume & prayse of 
our moost noble kyng, to the feare of all maner of nacions that 
owe ill wyll to either countrie, to the hygh pleasure of God, 
which as he is one, and hateth al diuision, so is he best of all 
pleased, to se thinges which be wyde and amysse, brought to 
peace and attonement. But Textor (I beshrowe him) hath 
almooste broughte vs from our comunicatio of shoting. Now 
sir by my iudgement, the Artillarie of England farre excedeth 
all other realmes : but yet one thing I doubt & longe haue 
surely in that point doubted, whe, or by whom, shotyng was 
first brought in to Englande, & for the same purpose as I was 
ones in companye wyth syr Thomas Eliot knight, which 
surelie for his lerning in all kynde of knowlege bringeth much 
worshyp to all the nobilite of Englande, I was so bould to aske 
hym, yf he at any tyme, had marked any thing, as cocernynge 
the bryngynge in of shootynge in to Englande : he aunswcred 
me gentlye agayne, that he had a worcke in hand which he 
nameth, De rebus memorabUibm Angli^^ which I trust we shal 
se in print shortlye, and for the accomplyshmente of that boke, 
he had read & perused ouer many olde monumetes of Englande, 
and in seking for that purpose, he marked this of shootynge in 
an excedyng olde cronicle, the which had no name, that what 
tyme as the Saxons came first into this realme in kyng 
Vortigers dayes, whe they had bene here a whyle and at last 
began to faull out with the Brittons, they troubled and 
subdewed the Brittons wyth nothynge so much, as with theyr 
bowe and shaftes, whiche wepon beynge straunge h not sene 
here before, was wonderfull terrible vnto them, and this 
beginninge I can thynke verie well to be true. But now as 
concerning many exaples for the prayse of English archers in 
warre, surely I wil not be long in a matter yt no ma doubteth 
in, & those i^vf y^ I wil name, shal either be proued by y^ 
histories of our enemies, or els done by men that now liue. 

Kynge Edward the thirde at the battel of Cressie ageinst 
Philip ye Freche king as Gaguinus the frech Historiographer 
plainlye doeth tell, slewe that daye all the nobilite of Fraunce 
onlye wyth hys archers. 



54 'Toxophiius. A. 

Such lyke battel also fought ye noble black prince Edward 
beside Poeters, where lohn ye French king w* hys Sonne & in 
a maner al y^ peres of Frauce were taken beside .xxx. M. which 
that daye were slayne, & verie few Englyshe men, by reason of 
theyr bowes. 

Kynge Henrie the fifte a prince pereles and moste vy61:ori- 
ouse conqueroure of all that euer dyed yet in this parte of the 
world, at the battel of Dagin court with .vii. M. fyghtynge 
men, and yet many of them sycke, beynge suche Archers as 
the Cronycle sayeth that mooste parte of them drewe a yarde, 
slewe all the Cheualrie of Fraunce to the nomber of .XL. m. 
and moo, and lost not paste .xxvi. Englysshe men. 

The bloudye Ciuil warre of England betwixt the house of 
Yorke and Lancaster, where shaftes slewe of both sydes to the 
destruction of mannye a yoman of Englande, whome foreine 
battell coulde neuer haue subdewed bothe I wyll passe ouer for 
the pyttyefulnesse of it, and yet maye we hyghelye prayse 
GOD in the remembraunce of it, seynge he of hys prouydence 
hath so knytte to gether those .ii. noble houses, with so noble 
and pleasunte a flowre. 

The excellent prince Thomas Hawarde nowe Duke of 
Northfolk, for whose good prosperite w^ al his noble familie 
al English hertes dayly doth pray w^ bowme of England slew 
kyng lamie w^ many a noble Scot eue brat agest Flodo hil, in 
which battel ye stoute archers of Cheshire & Lanchasshire for 
one day bestowed to ye death for their price & coutry sake, hath 
gotten immortall name and prayse for euer. 

The feare onely of Englysh Archers hathe done more 
wonderfull thinges than euer 1 redde in anye historye greke 
or latin, and moost wonderfull of all now of late beside Carlile 
betwixt Eske and Leuen at Sandy sikes, where the hoole 
nobilite of Scotlande for fere of the Archers of Englonde (next 
the stroke of God) as both Englysh men and Scotyshe men 
that were present hath toulde me were drowened and taken 
prisoners. 

Nor that noble a6fe also, whyche althoughe it be almost 
lost by tyme, commeth not behynd in worthinesse, whyche my 
synguler good frende and Master Sir William Walgraue and 
Sir George Somerset dyd with a few Archers to ye number as 
it is sayd of .xvi. at the Turne pike besyde Hames where they 



T'he schole of shoting. 5 5 

turned with so i&sN& Archers, so many Frenchemen to flight, 
and turned so many oute of theyr lackes, whych turne turned 
all fraunce to shame & reproche and those .ii. noble Knightes 
to perpetuall prayse & fame. 

And thus you se Philologe, in al contries Asia, Aphrike and 
Europe, in Inde, Aethiop, Aegypt & lurie, Parthia, Persia, 
Grece, and Italie, Schythia, Turky, and Englande, from the 
begynninge of the world euen to thys daye, that shotynge hath 
had the cheife stroke in warre. PHI. These examples surelye I 
apte for the prayse of shotynge, not feyned by poetes, but 
proued by trewe histories, distinct by tyme and order, hath 
delyted me excedyng muche, but yet me thynke that all 
thys prayse belongeth to stronge shootynge and drawynge 
of myghtye bowes not to prickyng and nere shotinge, for which 
cause you and many other bothe loue & vse shootyng. 
TOX. Euer more Philologe you wyl haue some ouertwhart 
reson to drawe forthe more communication w'all, but neuerthe- 
lesse you shall perceaue if you wyl, that vse of prickyng, and 
desyre of nere shootynge at home, are the onelye causes of 
stronge shootyng in warre, and why ? for you se, that the 
strongest men, do not drawe alwayes the strongest shoote, 
whiche thyng prouethe that drawinge stronge, liethe not so 
muche in the strength of man, as in the vse of shotyng. And 
experience teacheth the same in other thynges, for you shal se 
a weake smithe, whiche wyl wyth a lipe and turnyng of his 
arme, take vp a barre of yron, y' another man thrise as stronge, 
can not stirre. And a strong man not vsed to shote, hath his 
armes breste and shoulders, and other partes wherwith he shuld 
drawe stronglye, one hindering and stoppinge an other, euen as 
a dosen stronge horses not vsed to the carte, lettes & troubles one 
another. And so the more stronge man not vsed to shote, 
shootes moost vnhasumlye, but yet if a strong man with vse of 
shooting coulde applye all the partes of hys bodye togyther to 
theyr moost strengthe, than should he both drawe stronger than 
other, and also shoote better than other. But nowe a stronge 
man not vsed to shoote, at a girde, can heue vp & plucke in 
suder many a good bowe, as wild horses at a brunte doth race 
h pluck in peces many a stronge carte. And thus strong me, 
without vse, can do nothynge in shoting to any purpose, neither 
in warre nor peace, but if they happen to shoote, yet they haue 



56 'Toxophilus. A. 

done within a shoote or two when a wealce man that is vsed to 
shoote, shal serue for all tymes and purposes, and shall shoote 
• x. shaftes, agaynst the others .iiii. & drawe them vp to the 
poynte, euerye tyme, and shoote them to the mooste aduauntage, 
drawyng and withdrawing his shafte when he list, markynge 
at one man, yet let driuyng at an other man : whiche thynges 
in a set battayle, although a man, shal not alwayes vse, yet in 
bickerynges, and at ouerthwarte meatinges, when fewe archers 
be togyther, they do moste good of all. 

Agayne he that is not vsed to shoote, shall euermore with 
vntowardnesse of houldynge his bowe, & nockynge his shafte, 
not lookyng to his stryng betyme, put his bowe alwayes in 
ieoperdy of breakynge, & than he were better to be at home, 
moreouer he shal shoote very fewe shaftes, and those full 
vnhandsumlye, some not halfe drawen, some to hygh and some 
to lowe, nor he can not driue a shoote at a tyme, nor stoppe 
a shoote at a neede, but oute muste it, and verye ofte to euel 
profe. PHI. And that is best I trow in war, to let it go, and 
not to stoppe it. TOX. No not so, but somtyme to houlde 
a shafte at the heade, whyche if they be but few archers, doth 
more good with the feare of it, than it shoulde do if it were 
shot, with the stroke of it. PHI. That is a wonder to me, y' 
the feare of a displeasure, shoulde do more harme than the 
displeasure it selfe. TOX. Yes, ye knowe that a man whiche 
fereth to be banyshed, out of hys cuntrye, can neyther be mery, 
eate, drynke nor sleape for feare, yet when he is banished in 
dede, he slepeth and eateth, as well as any other. And many 
menne doubtyng and fearyng whether they shoulde dye or no, 
euen for verye feare of deathe, preuenteth them selfe with a 
more bytter deathe then the other death shoulde haue bene in 
deade. And thus feare is euer worse than the thynge feared, 
^. . , as is pratelye proued, by the communication 

of Cyrus and Tigranes, the kynges sunne of 
Armenie, in Xenophon. 

PHI. I grante Toxophile, that vse of shotyng maketh a 
man drawe strong, to shoote at most aduauntage, to kepe his 
gere, whiche is no small thinge in war, but yet me thinke, that 
the customable shoting at home, speciallye at buttes and prickes, 
make nothynge at all for stronge shooting which doth moste 
good in war. Therfore I suppose yi men shulde vse to goo 



'The schole of shoting. 57 

into the feyldes, and learne to shote myghty stronge shootes, 
and neuer care for any marke at al, they shulde do muche 
better. TOX, The trouthe is, that fashion muche vsed, 
woulde do muche good, but this is to be feared, least that waye 
coulde not prouoke men to vse muche shotyng, bycause ther 
shulde be lytle pleasure in it. And that in shoting is beste, yt 
prouoketh a man to vse shotinge moste : For muche vse maketh 
men shoote, bothe strong & well, whiche two thinges in 
shootinge, euery man doeth desyre. And the chyefe mayn- 
tayner of vse, in any thyng, is comparyson, and honeste 
contention. For whan a manne stryueth to be better than 
an other, he wyll gladly vse that thing, though it be neuer so 
paynful wherein he woulde excell, whiche thynge Aristotle 
verye pratelye doth note, sayenge. 

Where is comparison, there is viitorie : where is viftorie, 
there is pleasure : And where is pleasure, no man 
careth what labour or payne he taketh, bycause ^J';^f' ''/"■^^• 

r y 111 1 111 • «« J fU'od. 

or the prayse, and pleasure, that he shal haue, m 
doynge better than other men. 

Agayne, you knowe Hesiodus wryteth to hys brother 
Perses, y' al craftes men, by contending one 
honestly w' an other, do encrease theyr cunyng e/dk' ^ ''^^' 
wt theyr substance. And therfore in London, 
and other great Cities, men of one crafte, moste commonly, 
dwelle togyther, bycause in honest stryuyng togyther, who shall 
do best, euery one maye waxe bothe cunninger and rycher, so 
lykewyse in shootynge, to make matches to assemble archers 
togyther, to contende who shall shoote best, and winne the 
game, encreaseth y^ vse of shotynge wonderfully amonges men. 

PHI. Of Vse you speake very much Toxophile but I am 
sure in al other matters, Vse can do nothing, wythoute two 
other thinges be ioyned wyth it, one is a natural Aptnesse to 
a thinge, the other is a true waye or Knowledge, howe to do 
the thing, to which ii. yf Vse be ioyned, as thirde felowe, of 
them thre, procedeth perfe6lnesse and excellencie : If a manne 
lacke the first two, Aptnesse and Cunnyng, Vse can do lytle 
good, at all. For he y' woulde be an oratour and is nothinge 
naturallye fitte for it, that is to saye lacketh a good wytte and 
memorie, lacketh a good voyce, countenaunce and body, and 
other suche like, ye[t] yf he had all these thinges, and knewe 



5 8 'Toxophilus. A. 

not what, howe, where, when nor to whome he shulde speake, 
surelye the vse of spekynge, woulde brynge out none other 
frute but playne follye and bablyng, so yt Vse is the laste and 
the least neccessarye, of all thre, yet no thing can be done 
excellently without them al thre. And therfore Toxophile 
I my selfe bicause I neuer knewe, whether I was apte for 
shooting or no, nor neuer knewe waye, howe I shulde learne 
to shoote I haue not vsed to shoote : and so I thinke fiue 
hundred more in Englande do besyde me. And surely yf I 
knewe that I were apte, and y^ you woulde teach me howe to 
shoote, I woulde become an archer, and the rather, bycause of 
the good communication, the whiche I haue had with you this 
daye, of shotyng. TOX. Aptnesse, Knowlege, and Vse, 
euen as you saye, make all thinges perfefte. Aptnesse is the 
fyrst and chyefest thinge, without whiche the other two do no 
good at all. Knowledge doeth encrease al maner of Aptnesse, 
bothe lesse and more. Vse sayth Cicero, is farre aboue all 
teachinge. And thus they all three muste be had, to do any 
thinge very well, and yi anye one be awaye, what so euer is 
done, is done verye meanly. Aptnesse is y^ gyfte of nature, 
Knowlege, is gotten by y*^ helpe of other : Vse lyeth in our 
owne diligence & labour. So that Aptnesse & vse be ours and 
w'in vs, through nature & labour : Knowledge not ours, but 
comynge by other : and therfore moost dilligently, of all men to 
be sought for. Howe these three thinges stande with the 
artillery of Englande, a woorde or twoo I will saye. 

All Englishe men generally, be apte for shotyng, and howe.? 
Lyke as that grounde is plentifull and frutefull, whiche withoute 
anye tyllynge, bryngeth out corne, as for example, y{ a man 
shoulde go to the myll or market with corne, and happen to 
spyl some in the waye, yet it wolde take roote and growe, 
bycause y*^ soyle is so good : so Englad may be thought very 
frutefull and apt to brynge oute shoters, where children euen 
from the cradell, loue it : and yong men without any teachyng 
so diligentlye vse it. Agayne, lykewyse as a good grounde, 
well tylled, and well husbanded, bringeth out great plentie of 
byg eared corne, and good to the faule : so if the youthe of 
Englande being apte of it selfe to shote, were taught and 
learned how to shote, the Archers of England shuld not be only 
a great deale raker, and mo then they be : but also a good deale 



'The schole of shoting. 59 

bygger and stronger Archers then they be. This comoditie 
shoulde folowe also yf the youth of Englande were taught to 
shote, that euen as plowing of a good grounde for wheate, doth 
not onely make it mete for the seede, but also riueth and 
pluclceth vp by the rootes, all thistles, brambles and weedes, 
which growe of theyr owne accorde, to the destruftion of 
bothe corne and grounde: Euen so shulde the teaching of youth 
to shote, not only make them shote well, but also plucke 
awaye by the rootes all other desyre to noughtye pastymes, as 
disynge, cardyng, and boouling, which without any teaching 
are vsed euery where, to the great harme of all youth of this 
realme. And lykewise as burnyng of thistles and diligent 
weding them oute of the corne, doth not halfe so moche ryd 
them, as whe y^ ground is falloed and tilled for good grayne, as 
I haue hearde many a good husbandman say: euen so, neither 
bote punishment, nor yet diligent searching out of suche 
vnthriftinesse by the officers, shal so throwly wede these 
vngracious games out of the realme, as occupying and briiigyng 
vp youth in shotynge, and other honest pastyme. Thirdly, as 
a grounde which is apt for corne and also wel tilled for corne : 
yet if a man let it lye stil and do not occupye it .iii. or .iiii. yeare: 
but then wyll sow it, if it be wheate (sayth Columella) it wil 
turne into rye : so if a man be neuer so apte to shote, nor neuer 
so wel taught in his youth to shote, yet if he giue it ouer, and 
not vse to shote, truly when he shalbe eyther copelled in war 
tyme for his countrye sake, or els prouoked at home for his 
pleasure sake, to faule to his bowe : he shal become of a fayre 
archer, a stark squyrter and dribber. Therefore in shotynge, 
as in all other thinges, there can neyther be many in number, 
nor excellent in dede : excepte these .iii. thynges, Aptnesse, 
Knowledge, and Vse goo togyther. 

PHIL. Very well sayde Toxophile^ and I promyse you, I 
agree to this iudgement of yours altogyther and therefore I can 
not a lytle maruayle, why Englysshe men brynge nomore helpe 
to shotynge, then nature it selfe gyueth them. For you se that 
euen children be put to theyr owne shiftes in shotyng, hauing 
nothynge taughte them : but that they maye chose, and chaunce 
to shoote ill, rather then well, vnaptlye soner then fitlye, vnto- 
wardlye, more easely then wel fauouredlye, whiche thynge 
causeth manye neuer begynne to shoote : and moo to leaue it 



6o 'Toxophilus. A. 

of when they haue begone, and moost of all to shote both worse 
& weaker, then they might shote, if they were taught. But 
peraduenture some men wyll saye, that wyth vse of shootynge 
a man shall learne to shoote, true it is he shall learne, but what 
shal he learne ? marye to shoote noughtly. For all Vse, in all 
thynges, yf it be not stayed with Cunnyng, wyll verie easely 
brynge a man to do y' thynge, what so euer he goeth aboute 
with muche illfauorednes and deformitie. 

Which thinge how much harme it doth in learning both 
Crassus excellencie dothe proue in Tullie, and I 

De Oral. i. ir u • • i i l 

my seJre haue experiens in my lytle shootyng. 
And therfore Toxophile, you must nedes graunt me that ether 
Englishe men do il, in not ioynyng Knowlege of shooting to 
Vse, or els there is no knowlege or cuninge, which can be 
gathered of shooting. TOX. Learnyng to shoote is lytle 
regarded in England, for this consideration, bycause men be so 
apte by nature they haue a greate redy forwardnesse and wil to 
vse it, al though no man teache them, al thoughe no man byd 
them, & so of theyr owne corage they rune hedlynge on it, and 
shoote they ill, shote they well, greate hede they take not. And 
in verie dede Aptnesse w^ Vse may do sumwhat without Know- 
lege, but not the tenthe parte, if so be they were ioyned with 
knowlege. 

Whyche thre thynges be seperate as you se, not of theyr 
owne kynde, but through the negligence of me whyche coupleth 
them not to gyther. And where ye doubte whether there can 
be gadered any knowlege or arte in shootyng or no, surely 
I thynke that a ma being wel exercised in it and sumwhat 
honestly learned with all, myght soone with diligent obseruynge 
and markynge the hole nature of shootynge, find out as it were 
an Arte of it, as Artes in other matters haue bene founde oute 
afore, seynge that shootyng stadeth by those thinges, which 
maye both be thorowlye perceued, and perfitly knowen, and 
suche that neuer failes, but be euer certayne, belongynge to one 
moost perfect ende, as shootyng streight, and keping of a lenght 
bring a man to hit the marke, ye chefe end in shootyng: which 
two thynges a man may attaine vnto, by diligent vsynge, and 
well handlynge those instrumentes, which belong vnto them. 
Therfore 1 can not see, but there lieth hyd in the nature of 
Shootynge, an Arte, whiche by notynge, and obseruynge of 



The schole of shoting. 6i 

him, that is exercised in it, yf he be any thyng learned at al, 
maye be taught, to the greate forderaunce of Artillarie through 
out al this Realme. And trewlye I meruell gretelye, that 
Englysshe men woulde neuer yet, seke for the Arte of shootynge, 
seinge they be so apte vnto it, so praysed of there frendes, so 
feared of there ennemves for it, Veo-etius woulde 
haue maysters appointed, whyche shoulde teache "^ 

youthe to shoote faire. Leo the Emperour of Rome, sheweth 
the same custome, to haue bene alwaves amongest ^ . 
ye olde Komaynes : whych custome or teachyng 
youth to shoote (saythe he) after it was omitted, and litle hede 
taken of, brought the hole Empire of Rome, to grete Ruine. 
Schola Penica^ that is the Scole of the Persians, 
appoynted to brynge vp youthe, whiles they were 
.XX. yeres olde in shooting, is as notably knowne in Histories 
as the Impire of ye Persians : whych schole, as doth apere in 
Cornelius Tacitus, as sonc as they gaue ouer and 
fell to other idle pastimes, brought bothe them "^^ '^' ^' 
and ye Parthians vnder y^ subie6lion of the Romaines. Plato 
would haue common maisters and stipendes, for n / >- 
to teache youthe to shoote, & for the same purpose '' 

he would haue a brode feylde nere euery Citie, made common 
for men to vse shotyng in, whyche sayeng the more reasonably 
it is spoken of Plato, the more vnresonable is theyr dede 
whiche woulde ditche vp those feeldes priuatly for ther owne 
profyt, whyche lyeth open generallye for the commo vse : men 
by suche goodes be made rycher not honester sayeth Tullie. 
Yf men can be perswaded to haue shootynge 
taughte, this au6lhorite whyche foloweth will ^' 

perswade them, or els none, and that is as I haue ones sayde 
before, of Kynge Dauyd, whose fyrste afi:e and ordinaunce was 
after he was kynge that all ludea should learne to shoote. Yf 
shotyng could speake, she would accuse England of vnkyndnesse 
and slouthfulnesse, of vnkyndnesse toward her bycause she 
beyng left to a lytle blynd vse, lackes her best maintener which 
is cunnynge : of slouthfulnesse towarde theyr owne selfe, bycause 
they are content wyth that whych aptnesse and vse doth graunt 
them in shootynge, and wyl seke for no knowlege as other 
noble comon welthes haue done : and the iustlier shootynge 
myght make thys complaynt, seynge thuL ^.i fence and weapons 



62 Toxophilus. A. 

there is made an Arte, a thyng in no wyse to be compared to 
shootynge. 

For of fence all mooste in euerye towne, there is not onely 
Masters to teache it, wyth his Prouostes Vsshers Scholers and 
other names of arte & Schole, but there hath not fayled also, 
whyche hathe diligently and well fauouredly written it and is 
set out in Printe that euery man maye rede it. 

What discommoditie doeth comme by the lacke of know- 
lege, in shootynge, it were ouer longe to rehearce. For manye 
that haue bene apte, and loued shootynge, bycause they knewe 
not whyche way to houlde to comme to shootynge, haue cleane 
tourned them selues from shootynge. 

And I maye telle you Philologe, the lacke of teachynge to 

shoote in Englande, causeth very manye men, to playe with 

the kynges Ades, as a man dyd ones eyther with the Mayre of 

London or Yorke I can not tel whether, whiche dyd commaund 

by proclamation, euerye man in the Citie, to hange a lanterne 

wyth a candell, afore his dore : whiche thynge the man dyd, 

but he dyd not lyght it : And so many bye bowes bicause of 

the a6le, but yet they shote not : not of euyll wyll, but bycause 

they knowe not howe to shoote. But to conclude of this 

matter, in shoting as in all other thynges, Apte- 

ptnesse. nesse is the fyrste, and chyefe thynge, whiche if it 

be awaye, neyther Cunnynge or Vse, doeth anye good at all, 

as the Scottes and Fraunce men, wyth knowledge and Vse 

of shootynge, shall become good Archers, whan a cunynge 

shypwright shall make a stronge shyppe, of a Salowe tree : or 

whan a husbandman shall becom ryche, wyth sowyng wheat 

on Newmarket heath. Cunnynge muste be had, 

unnynge. bothe to Set out, & amende Nature, and also to 

ouersee, and corre6le vse : which vse yf it be not led, & gouerned 

wyth cunnyng, shall sooner go amisse, than strayght. 

Vse maketh perfitnesse, in doinge that thynge, whervnto 
nature maketh a man apte, and knowlege maketh a man 
cunninge before. So yt it is not so doubtful, which of them 
three hath moost stroke in shoting as it is playne & euident, 
that all thre must be had, in excellent shootynge. PHI. For 
this communicacio Toxophile I am very glad, and y' for myn 
owne sake bicause I trust now, to become a shoter, And in 
dede I thought a fore, English me most apte for shoting, and 



The schole of s ho ting. ■ 63 

I sawe them dayelye vse shotyng, but yet I neuer founde none, 
that woulde talke of anye knowlege whereby a man might 
come to shotynge. Therfore I trust that you, by the vse you 
haue had in shoting, haue so thorowly marked and noted the 
nature of it, that you can teache me as it were by a trade or 
waye how to come to it. TOX. I graunte, I haue vsed 
shootinge meetly well, that I might haue marked it wel 
ynoughe, yf I had bene diligent. But my much shootynge, 
hath caused me studie litle, so that thereby I lacke learnynge, 
whych shulde set out the Arte or waye in any thynge. And 
you knowe that I was neuer so well sene, in the Posteriorums 
of Aristotle as to inuent and searche out general Demonstra- 
tions for the setting forth of any newe Science. Yet by my 
trothe yi you wyll, I wyll goe with you into the fealdes at any 
tyme and tel you as much as I can, or els you maye stande 
some tyme at the prickes and looke on the which shoote best 
and so learne. PHI. Howe lytle you haue looked of Aristotle, 
and how muche learnynge, you haue lost by shotynge I can 
not tell, but this I woulde saye and yf I loued you neuer so ill, 
that you haue bene occupyed in sumwhat els besyde shotynge. 
But to our purpose, as I wyll not requyre a trade in shotinge 
to be taught me after the sutteltye of Aristotle, euen so do I 
not agre with you in this poynt, that you wold haue me learne 
to shoote with lokyng on them which shoote best, for so I 
knowe I should neuer come to shote meanelye. For in shotyng 
as in all other thynges which be gotten by teachynge, there 
must be shewed a waye & a path which shal leade a man to ye 
best and cheiftest point whiche is in shootynge, whiche you do 
marke youre selfe well ynough, and vttered it also in youre 
communication, when you sayde there laye hyd in ye nature of 
shootyng a certayne waye whych wel perceyued and thorowlye 
knowen, woulde bring a ma wythout any wanderyng to ye 
beste ende in shotyng whych you called hitting of the pricke. 
Therfore I would refer all my shootinge to that ende which is 
best, and so shuld I come the soner to some meane. That 
whiche is best hath no faulte, nor can not be amended. So 
shew me beste shootynge, not the beste shoter, which yf he be 
neuer so good, yet hath he many a faulte easelye of any man to 
be espyed. And therfore meruell not yi I requyre to folowe 
that example whych is without faulte, rather than that which 



64 Toxophiius. A. 

hath so manye faultes. And thys waye euery wyse man doth 
folow in teachynge any maner of thynge. As Aristotle when 
he teacheth a man to be good he settes not before hym Socrates 
lyfe whyche was y^ best man, but chiefe goodnesse it selfe 
accordynge to whych he would haue a man direfte his lyfe. 
TOX. This waye which you requyre of me Philologe^ is to 
hard for me, and to hye for a shooter to taullce on, & take as 
I suppose out of the middes of Philosophic, to serche out the 
perfite ende of any thyng, ye which perfite ende to fynde out, 
sayth Tullie, is the hardest thynge in the worlde, 
the onely occasyon and cause, why so many seftes 
of Philosophers hathe bene alwayse in learnynge. And 
althoughe as Cicero saith a man maye ymagine and dreame in 
his mynde of a perfite ende in any thynge, yet there is no 
experience nor vse of it, nor was neuer sene yet amonges men, 
as alwayes to heale the syclce, euer more to leade a shyppe 
without daunger, at al times to hit the prick : shall no Physicion, 
no shypmaster, no shoter euer do. And Aristotle saith that in 
all deades there are two pointes to be marked, 
" possibilitie & excelecie, but chefely a wise ma 
must folow & laye hand on possibilitie for feare he lease bothe. 
Therfore seyng that which is moost perfeil and best in shoot- 
yng as alwayes to hit y^ pricke, was neuer sene nor hard tel on 
yet amoges men, but onelye ymagined and thought vpon in 
a man his mynde, me thinck this is the wisest cousel & best 
for vs to folow rather that which a man maye come to, than y^ 
whyche is vnpossible to be attained to, leste iustely that sayeng 
of ye wyse mayde Ismene in Sophocles maye be verifyed on vs. 

Soph. And. A foole he is that takes in hande he can not ende. 

PHI. Well yf the perfite ende of other matters, had bene 
as perfitlye knowne, as the perfite ende of shotynge is, there 
had neuer bene so manye seftes of Philosophers as there be, for 
in shoting both man & boye is in one opinion, that alwayes to 
hit the pryck is mooste perfe6le end that can be imagyned, so 
that we shal not nede gretly contend in this matter. But now 
sir, whereas you thynke y^ a man in learning to shoote or any 
thyng els, shuld rather wyselye folow possibilitie, tha vainly 
seice for perfite excellencie, surelye I wyl proue yt euery wyse 
man, y' wisely wold learne any thyng, shal chiefly go aboute y' 



The schole of shoting. 6 5 

whervnto he knoweth wel he shal neuer come. And you youre 
selfe I suppose shal confesse y^ same to be y'^ best way in 
teachyng, yf you wyl answere me to those thinges whych I wyl 
aske of you. TOX. And y^ I wyl gladlye, both bycause I 
thynke it is vnpossible for you to proue it, & also bycause 
I desire to here what you ca saye in it. PHI. The studie of 
a good Physicio Toxophile, I trow be to know al diseases & al 
medicines fit for them. TOX. It is so in dede. PHI. 
Bicause I suppose he would gladly at al tymes heale al diseases 
of al men. TOX. Ye truely. PHI. A good purpose surely, 
but was ther euer physicio yet among so many whyche hath 
laboured in thys study, that at al times coulde heale all diseases? 
TOX. No trewly ; nor I thyncke neuer shalbe. PHI. Than 
Physicions by lyke, studie for y', whiche none of them cometh 
vnto. But in learning of fence I pray you what is y^ which 
men moost labor for ? TOX. That they may hit a nother I 
trow & neuer take blow theyr selfe. PHI. You say trothe, & 
I am sure euery one of the would faine do so whe so euer he 
playethe. But was there euer any of the so conning yet, which 
at one tyme or other hath not be[n] touched ? TOX. The 
best of them all is glad somtyme to escape with a blowe. 
PHIL. Tha in fence also, men are taught to go aboute that 
thing, whiche the best of them all knowethe he shall neuer 
attayne vnto. Moreouer you that be shoters, I pray you, what 
meane you, whan ye take so greate heade, to kepe youre stand- 
ynge, to shoote compasse, to looke on your marke so diligently, 
to cast vp grasse diuerse tymes and other thinges more, you 
know better tha I. What would you do tha I pray you ? 
TOX. Hit ye marke yi we could. PHIL. And doth euery 
ma go about to hit the marke at euery shoote ? TOX. By 
my trothe I trow so, and as for my selfe I am sure I do. 
PHIL. But al men do not hit it at al tymes. TOX. No 
trewlye for that were a wonder. PHIL. Can any man hit it 
at all tymes ? TOX. No man verilie. PHIL. Than by 
likely to hit the pricke alwayes, is vnpossible. For that is 
called vnpossible whych is in no man his power to do. TOX. 
Vnpossible in dede. PHIL. But to shoote wyde and far of 
the marke is a thynge possyble. TOX. No man wyll denie 
that. PHIL. But yet to hit the marke alwayse were an 
excellent thyng. TOX. Excellent surelie. PHIL, tha I am 



66 T'oxophilus. A. 

sure those be wiser men, which couete to shoote wyde than 
those whiche couete to hit the prycke. TOX. Why so 1 
pray you. PHIL. Because to shote wyde is a thynge possyble, 
and therfore as you saye youre selfe, of euery wyse ma to be 
folowed. And as for hittinge y^ prick, bycause it is vnpossible, 
it were a vaine thynge to go aboute it : but in good sadnesse 
Toxophile thus you se that a man might go throghe all craftes 
and sciences, and proue that anye man in his science coueteth 
that which he shal neuer gette. TOX. By my trouth (as you 
saye) I can not denye, but they do so : but why and wherfore 
they shulde do so, I can not learne. PHILO. I wyll tell you, 
euerye crafte and science standeth in two thynges : in Knowing 
of his crafte, & Working of his crafte : For perfyte knowlege 
bringeth a man to perfyte workyng This knowe Paynters, 
karuers, Taylours, shomakers, and all other craftes men, to be 
true. Nowe, in euery crafte, there is a perfite excellencie, 
which may be better knowen in a mannes mynde, then folowed 
in a mannes dede : This perfytenesse, bycause it is generally 
layed as a brode wyde example afore al me, no one particuler 
man is able to compasse it : and as it is generall to al men, so it 
is perpetuall for al time whiche proueth it a thynge for man 
vnpossible : although not for the capacitie of our thinkyng 
whiche is heauenly, yet surelye for the habilitie of our workyng 
whyche is worldlye. 

God gyueth not full perfytenesse to one man (sayth Tullie) 
lest if one man had all in any one science, ther 
shoulde be nothyng lefte for an other. Yet God 
suffereth vs to haue the perfyt knowledge of it, that such 
a knowledge dilligently folowed, might bring forth accordyng 
as a man doth labour, perfyte woorkyng. And who is he, that 
in learnynge to wryte, woulde forsake an excellent example, 
and folowe a worse ? Therfore seing perfytenesse it selfe is an 
example for vs, let euerye man studye howe he maye come nye it, 
which is a poynt of wysdome, not reason with God why he may 
not attaine vnto it, which is vayne curosite. TOX. Surely 
this is gaily said Philologe, but yet this one thinge I am afraide 
of, lest this perfitnesse which you speke on wil discourage men 
to take any thynge in hande, bycause afore they begin, they 
know, they shal neuer come to an ende. And thus dispayre 
shall dispatche, euen at the fyrste entrynge in, many a good 



'The schole of shottng. 67 

man his purpose and intente. And I thinlce both you your 
selfe, & al other men to, woulde counte it mere folic for a man 
to tell hym whome he teacheth, that he shal neuer optaine that, 
whyche he would fainest learne. And therfore this same 
hyghe and perfite waye of teachyng let vs leue it to hygher 
matters, and as for shootynge it shalbe content with a meaner 
waye well ynoughe. PHI. Where as you saye y^ this hye 
perfitnesse will discorage me, bycause they knowe, they shall 
neuer attayne vnto it, I am sure cleane contrarie there is 
nothynge in the world shall incourage men more than it. And 
whye ? For where a man seith, that though a nother man be 
neuer so excellente, yet it is possible for hym selfe to be better, 
what payne or labour wyl that man refuse to take? yf the game 
be onse wonne, no ma wyl set forth hys foote to ronne. And 
thus perfitnesse beynge so hyghe a thynge that men maye looke 
at it, not come to it, and beynge so plentiful! and indifferent to 
euerye bodye that the plentifulnesse of it maye prouoke all men 
to labor, bycause it hath ynoughe for all me, the indifferencye 
of it shall encourage euerye one to take more paine than hys 
fellowe, bycause euerye man is rewarded accordyng to his nye 
comyng, and yet whych is moste meruel of al, y'^ more men 
take of it, the more they leue behynd for other, as Socrates dyd 
in wysdome, and Cicero in eloquens, whereby other hath not 
lacked, but hathe fared a greate deele y^ better. And thus 
perfitnesse it selfe bycause it is neuer obteyned, euen therfore 
only doth it cause so many men to be so well sene & perfite in 
many matters, as they be. But where as you thynke yt it were 
fondnesse to teache a man to shoote, in lokyng at the most 
perfitnesse in it, but rather woulde haue a manne go some other 
way to worke, I trust no wyse man wyl discomend that way, 
except he thincke himselfe wyser than Tullye, whiche doeth 
playnlye saye, that yf he teached any maner of r,,f). , 
crafte as he dyd Rhetorike he would labor to 
bringe a man to the knowlege of the moost perfitnesse of it, 
whyche knowlege should euer more leade and gyde a manne to 
do that thynge well whiche he went aboute. Whych waye in 
al maner of learnyng to be best, Plato dothe also declare in 
Euthydemus, of whome Tullie learned it as he dyd many other 
thynges mo. And thus you se Toxophile by what reasons and 
by whose authorite I do require of you this waye in teachynge 

E 2 



68 T'oxophilus. A. 

me to shoote, which waye I praye you withoute any more 
delaye shew me as far forth as you haue noted and marked. 
TOX. You cal me to a thyng Philologe which I am lothe to 
do. And yet yf I do it not beinge but a smale matter as you 
thynke, you wyll lacke frendeshyp in me, yf I take it in hande 
and not bring it to passe as you woulde haue it, you myghte 
thyncke great wat of wysdome in me. 

But aduyse you, seing ye wyll nedes haue it so, the 
blame shalbe yours, as well as myne : yours for puttynge vpon 
me so instauntlye, myne in receyuynge so fondly a greater 
burthen then I am able to beare. Therfore I, more wyllynge 
to fulfyll your mynde, than hopyng to accomplysh that 
which you loke for, shall speake of it, not as a master of 
shotynge, but as one not altogyther ignoraunt in shotynge. 
And one thynge I am glad of, the sunne drawinge downe 
so fast into the west, shall compell me to drawe a pace 
to the ende of our matter, so that his darkenesse shall 
somethyng cloke myne ignoraunce. And bycause 
you knowe the orderynge of a matter better 
then I : Aske me generallye of it, and I 
shall particularly answere to it. PHI. 
Very gladly Toxophile: for so 
by ordre, those thynges 
whiche I woulde 
knowe, you shal 
tell the bet- 
ter : and 

those 

thynges 

whiche you shall tell, I 

shall remembre 

the better. 



TOXOPHI- 
LVS. B. 

THE SECONDE BOOKE OF 

the schole of shotyng. 

PHILOL. What is the cheyfe poynte in shootynge, that 
euerye manne laboureth to come to? TOX. To hyt 
the niarke. PHI. Howe manye thynges are required to make 
a man euer more hyt the marke ? TOX. Twoo. PHI. 
Whiche twoo ? TOX. Shotinge streyght and kepynge of 
a lengthe. PHIL. Howe shoulde a manne shoote strayght, 
& howe shulde a man kepe a length .? TOX. In knowynge 
and hauynge thinges, belongynge to shootyng : and whan they 
be knowen and had, in well handlynge of them : whereof some 
belong to shotyng strayght, some to keping of a legth, some 
commonly to them bothe, as shall be tolde seuerally of them, 
in place conuenient. PHI. Thynges belongyng to shotyng, 
whyche be they .'' TOX. All thinges be outwarde, and some 
be instrumentes for euery sere archer to brynge with him, 
proper for his owne vse : other thynges be generall to euery 
man, as the place and tyme serueth. PHI. which be instru- 
metes ? TOX. Bracer, shotynggloue, stryng, bowe Sc shafte. 
PHI. Whiche be general to all men ? TOX. The wether 
and the marke, yet the marke is euer vnder the rule of the 
wether. PHI. wherin standeth well handlynge of thynges .? 
TOX. All togyther wythin a man him selfe, some handlynge 
is proper to instrumentes, some to the wether, somme to the 
marke, some is within a man hym selfe. PHI. what handlyng 
is proper to the Instrumentes. TOX. Standynge, nockyng, 
drawyng, holdyng, lowsing, wherby cometh fayre shotynge, 
whiche neyther belong to wynde nor wether, nor yet to the 
marke, for in a rayne and at no marke, a man may shote a fayre 
shoote. PHI. well sayde, what handlynge belongeth to the 



70 Toxophilus. B. 

wether? TOX. Knowyng of his wynde, with hym, agaynst 
hym, syde wynd, ful syde wind, syde wynde quarter with him, 
syde wynde quarter agaynste hym, and so forthe, PHI. well 
than go to, what handlynge belongeth to the marke ? TOX. To 
marke his standyng, to shote compasse, to draw euermore lyke, 
to lowse euermore lyke, to consyder the nature of the pricke, 
in hylles & dales, in strayte planes and winding places, & also 
to espy his marke. PHI. Very well done. And what is 
onely within a man hym selfe ? TOX. Good heede gyuynge, 
and auoydynge all affe61:ions : whiche thynges oftentymes do 
marre and make all. And these thynges spoken of me generally 
and brefely, yi they be wel knowen, had, and handled, shall 
brynge a man to suche shootynge, as fewe or none euer yet 
came vnto, but surely yf he misse in any one of the, he can 
neuer hyt the marke, and in the more he doth misse, the farther 
he shoteth from his marke. But as in all other matters the 
fyrst steppe or stayre to be good, is to know a mannes faulte, 
and than to amende it, and he that wyl not knowe his faulte, 
shall neuer amende it. PHI. You speake nowe Toxophile, 
euen as I wold haue you to speake : But lette vs returne agayne 
vnto our matter, and those thynges whyche you haue packed 
vp, in so shorte a roume, we wyll lowse the forthe, and take 
euery pyece as it were in our hande and looke more narowlye 
vpon it. TOX. I am content, but we wyll rydde them as 
fast as we can, bycause the sunne goeth so faste downe, and 
yet somewhat muste needes be sayde of euerye one of them. 
PHI. well sayde, and I trowe we beganne wyth those thynges 
whiche be instrumentes, whereof the fyrste, as I suppose, was 
„ the Braser. TOX. Litle is to be sayd of the 

braser. A bracer serueth for two causes, one to 
saue his arme from the strype of the strynge, and his doublet 
from wearynge, and the other is, that the strynge glydynge 
sharpelye & quicklye of the bracer, maye make the sharper 
shoote. For if the strynge shoulde lyght vpon the bare sleue, 
the strengthe of the shoote shoulde stoppe and dye there. But 
it is best by my iudgemente, to gyue the bowe so muche bent, 
that the strynge neede neuer touche a mannes arme, and so 
shoulde a man nede no bracer as I knowe manye good Archers, 
whiche occupye none. In a bracer a man muste take hede of 
.iii. thinges, y' it haue no nayles in it, that it haue no bucles. 



The schoie of shoting. J i 

that it be fast on with laces wythout agglettes. For the nayles 
wyll shere in sunder, a manes string, before he be ware, and so 
put his bowe in ieoperdy: Buckles and agglettes at vn wares, 
shall race hys bowe, a thinge bothe euyll to the syghte, & 
perilous for freatynge. And thus a Bracer, is onely had for this 
purpose, that the stryngc maye haue redye passage. PHI. In 
my Bracer I am cunnyng ynough, but what saye you of the 
shootyng gloue. 

TOX. A shootynge Gloue is chieflye, for to saue a mannes 
fyngers from hurtynge, that he maye be able to beare the sharpe 
stryng to the vttermost of his strengthe. And whan a man 
shooteth, the might of his shoote lyeth on the formooste fynger, 
and on the Ringman, for the myddle fynger whiche is the 
longest, lyke a lubber starteth backe, and beareth no weyght of 
the strynge in a maner at all, therfore the two other fyngers, 
muste haue thicker lether, and that muste haue thickest of all, 
where on a man lowseth moste, and for sure lowsyng, the 
formoste finger is moste apte, bycause it holdeth best, & for y^ 
purpose nature hath as a man woulde saye, yocked it w' the 
thoumbe. Ledder, if it be nexte a mans skynne, wyl sweat, 
waxe hard and chafe, therefore scarlet for the softnes of it and 
thicknesse wyth all, is good to sewe wythin a manes gloue. If 
that wylle not serue, but yet youre finger hurteth, you muste 
take a searynge cloth made of fine virgin waxe, and Deres 
sewet, & put nexte your fynger, and so on wyth youre gloue. 
If yet you fele your fynger pinched, leaue shootyng both 
because than you shall shoote nought, & agayn by litle & lytle, 
hurtynge your finger, ye shall make it longe and longe to or 
you shoote agayne. A newe gloue pluckes many shootes 
bycause the stringe goeth not freelye of, and therefore the 
fingers muste be cut short, and trimmed with some ointment, 
that the string maye glyd wel awaye. Some with holdynge in 
the nocke of theyr shafte too harde, rub the skyn of there 
fingers. For this there be .ii. remedyes, one to haue a goose 
quyll splettyd and sewed againste the nockynge, betwixt the 
lining and the ledder, whyche shall helpe the shoote muche to, 
the other waye is to haue some roule of ledder sewed betwixt 
his fingers at the setting on of the fingers, which shall kepe his 
fingers so in sunder, that they shal not hold the nock so fast as 
they did. The shootyng gloue hath a purse whych shall serue 



72 'Toxophilus. B. 

to put fine linen cloth and wax in, twoo necessary thynges for 
a shooter, some men vse gloues or other suche lyke thyng on 
their bow had for chafyng, bycause they houlde so harde. But 
that commeth commonlye, when a bowe is not rounde, but 
somewhat square, fine waxe shall do verye well in such a case 
to laye where a man holdeth his bow : and thus muche as 
concernynge your gloue. And these thynges althoughe they be 
trifles, yet bycause you be but a yonge shoter, I woulde not 
leue them out. PHI. And so you shal do me moost pleasure : 
The string I trow be the next. TOX. The next in dede. 
. A thing though it be lytle, yet not a litle to be 

regarded. But here in you muste be contente to 
put youre truste in honest stringers. And surely stringers 
ought more diligently to be looked vpon by the officers tha 
ether bower or fletcher, bycause they may deceyue a simple 
man the more easelyer. An ill stringe brekethe many a good 
bowe, nor no other thynge halfe so many. In warre if a string 
breke the man is loste and is no man, for his weapon is gone, 
and althoughe he haue two stringes put one at once, yet he shall 
haue small leasure & lesse roume to bend his bow, therfore god 
send vs good stringers both for war and peace. Now what 
a stringe ought to be made on, whether of good hempe as they 
do now a dayes, or of flaxe or of silke, I leue that to the 
. iugemente of stringers, of whome we muste bye 

them on. Eustathius apon this verse of homere 

Twag q the bow^ & twag q the strings out quicklie the shaft flue 
Iliad. 4. 

doeth tel, that in oulde tyme they made theyr bowe strynges of 

bullox thermes, whiche they twyned togither as they do ropes, 

& therfore they made a great twange. Bowe strynges also hath 

bene made of the heare of an horse tayle called for the matter 

of them Hippias as dothe appeare in manye good authors of the 

Greke tongue. Great stringes, and lytle strynges 
Fauontuis. irj- 1 • . ■' ° 

be ror diuerse purposes : the great strmg is more 

surer for the bowe, more stable to pricke wythal, but slower for 

the cast, the lytle stringe is cleane contrarye, not so sure, 

therfore to be taken hede of, leste with longe tarienge on, it 

breake your bowe, more fit to shoote farre, than apte to pricke 

nere, therfore when you knowe the nature of bothe bigge and 



'The schole of shoting. 73 

lytle, you must fit your bow, according to the occasion of your 
shootinge. In stringinge of your bow (though this place belong 
rather to the hadlyng than to the thyng it selfe, yet bycause the 
thynge, and the handlynge of the thynge, be so ioyned together, 
I must nede some tyme couple the one wyth the other,) you 
must mark the fit length of youre bowe. For yf the stringe be 
to short, the bending wyll gyue, and at the last slyp and so put 
the bowe in ieopardyc, Yf it be longe, the bendynge must 
nedes be in the smal of the string, which beynge sore twined 
muste nedes knap in sunder to y^ distruction of manye good 
bowes. Moreouer you must looke that youre bowe be well 
nocked for fere the sharpnesse of the home shere a sunder the 
strynge And that chaunceth ofte when in bending, the string 
hath but one wap to strengthe it wyth all. You must marke 
also to set youre stringe streygte on, or elles the one ende shall 
wriethe contrary to the other, and so breke your bowe. When 
the stringe begynnethe neuer so lytle to were, trust it not, but 
a waye with it for it is an yll saued halpeny y' costes a man 
a crowne Thus you se howe many ieopardyes hangethe ouer 
the selye poore bowe, by reason onlye of the strynge. As when 
the stringe is shorte, when it is longe, whe eyther of the nockes 
be nought, when it hath but one wap, and when it taryethe 
ouer longe on, PHI, I se wel it is no meruell, though so 
many bowes be broken. TOX. Bowes be broken twise as 
many wayes besyde these. But a gayne in stringynge youre 
bowe, you must loke for muche bende or lytle bende for they 
be cleane contrarye. 

The lytle bende hath but one commoditie, whyche is in 
shootyng faster and farther shoote, and y^ cause therof is, 
bycause the strynge hath so far a passage, or it parte wyth the 
shafte. The greate bende hath many commodities : for it 
maketh easyer shootynge the bowe beyng halfe drawen afore. 
It needeth no bracer, for the strynge stoppeth before it come at 
the arme. It wyl not so sone hit a mannes sleue or other 
geare, by the same reason : It hurteth not the shaft fedder, as 
the lowe bende doeth. It suffereth a man better to espye his 
marke. Therfore lette youre bowe haue good byg bend, 
a shaftemente and .ii. fyngers at the least, for these which 
I haue spoken of PHI. The braser, gloue, and 
strynge, be done, nowe you muste come to the ''^^' 



74 Toxophilus. B. 

bowe, the chefe instrument of all. TOX. Dyuers countryes and 

tymes haue vsed alwayes dyuers bowes, and of dyuers fashions. 

Home bowes are vsed in some places nowe, & were vsed also 

in Homerus dayes, for Pandarus bowe, the best 

shooter among al the Troianes, was made of two 

Goete homes ioyned togyther, the lengthe wherof sayth Homer, 

was .xvi handbredes, not far differing from the lengthe of our 

bowes. 

Scripture maketh mention of brasse bowes. Iron bowes, 

^ and style bowes, haue bene of longe tyme, and 

'' also nowe are vsed among the Turkes, but yet they 

must nedes be vnprofitable. For yf brasse, yron or style, haue 

theyr owne strength and pith in them, they be farre aboue 

manes strength : yf they be made meete for mannes strengthe, 

theyr pithe is nothyng worth to shoote any shoote wyth all. 

The Ethiopians had bowes of palme tre, whiche seemed to 

.be very stronge, but we haue none experience of 

' them. The lengthe of them was .iiii. cubites 

The men of Inde had theyr bowes made of a rede, whiche was 

of a great strengthe. And no maruayle though bowe and 

shaftes were made therof, for the redes be so great in Inde, as 

, _ ,. Herodotus sayth, that of euerv ioynte of a rede, 

/n Ihalia. ■' / ^ , , ^ ■' rr^i i 

a man may make a ryshers bote. 1 nese bowes, 

sayeth Arrianus in Alexanders lyfe, gaue so great a stroke, that 

. no barneys or buckler though it were neuer so 

strong, could wythstand it. The length of suche 

a bowe, was euen wyth the length of hym, that vsed it. The 

, „ , Lycians vsed bowes made of a tree, called in 

In Polym. t ^^ / i r v • 

JLatyn Lornus^ (as concernyng the name or it m 

English, I can soner proue that other men call it false, than 

I can tell the right name of it my sclfe) this wood is as harde as 

borne and very fit for shaftes, as shall be toulde after. 

Ouid sheweth that Syringa the Nymphe, and one of the 
maydens of Diana, had a bowe of this wood 
wherby the poete meaneth, that it was verye 
excellent to make bowes of 

As for brasell, Elme, Wych, and Asshe, experience doth 
proue them to be but meane for bowes, and so to conclude Ewe 
of all other thynges, is that, wherof perfite shootyng woulde 
haue a bowe made. 



'T'he schole of shoting. 75 

Thys woode as it is nowe generall and common amonges 
Englyshe men, so hath it continewed from longe tyme and had 
in moost price for bowes, amoges the Romaynes, as doth apere 
in this halfe verse of Vyrgill, 

Taxi torquentur in arcus. 

Virgilitis. 

Ewe fit for a bowe to he made on. 

Nowe as I saye, a bowe of Ewe must be hadde for perfe6le 
shootinge at the prickes, whiche marke, bycause it is certayne, 
& moste certaine rules may be gyuen of it, shall serue for our 
comunication, at this time. A good bowe is knowen, much 
what as good counsayle is knowen, by the ende and proofe of it, 
& yet bothe a bowe and good counsell, maye be made bothe 
better and worse, by well or yll handlynge of them : as often- 
tymes chauceth. And as a man both muste and wyll take 
counsell, of a wyse and honeste man, though he se not the ende 
of it, so must a shooter of necessitie, truste an honest and good 
bowyer for a bowe, afore he knowe the proofe of it. And as a 
wyse man wyll take plentye of counsel afore hand what soeuer 
need, so a shooter shulde haue alwayes .iii. or .iiii. bowes, in 
store, what so euer chaunce. PHI. But if I truste bowyers 
alwayes, sometyme I am lyke to be deceyucd. TOX. There- 
fore shall I tell you some tokens in a bowe, that you shal be 
the seeldomer deceyued. If you come into a shoppe, and fynde 
a bowe that is small, long, heauy and strong, lyinge st[r]eyght, 
not windyng, not marred with knot gaule, wyndeshake, wem, 
freat or pynche, bye that bowe of my warrant. The beste 
colour of a bowe y' I fynde, is whan the backe and the bellye 
in woorkynge, be muche what after one maner, for such often- 
tymes in wearyng, do proue lyke virgin wax or golde, hauynge 
a fine longe grayne, euen from the one ende of the bowe, to the 
other : the short graine although suche proue well somtyme, are 
for ye most parte, very brittle. Of the makynge of the bowe, 
I wyll not greatly meddle, leste I shoulde seeme to enter into an 
other mannes occupation, whyche I can no skyll of. Yet I 
woulde desyre all bowyers to season theyr staues well, to woorke 
them and synke them well, to giue the heetes conuenient, and 
tyllerynges pleJitye. For thereby they shoulde bothe get them 
selues a good name, (And a good name encreseth a mannes 



76 Toxophilus. B. 

profyt muche) and also do greate comodite to the hole Realme. 
If any men do offend in this poynte, I am afrayde they be those 
iourny me whiche labour more spedily to make manye bowes 
for theyr owne monye sake, than they woorke dilligently to 
make good bowes, for the common welth sake, not layinge 
before theyr eyes, thys wyse prouerbe. 

Sone ynough^ ifwelynough. 

Wherwyth euere honest handye craftes man shuld measure, as 
it were wyth a rule, his worke withal. He that is a iourney 
man, and rydeth vpon an other mannes horse, yf he ryde an 
honest pace, no manne wyll dysalowe hym : But yf he make 
Poste haste, bothe he that oweth the horse, and he peraduenture 
also that afterwarde shal bye the horse, may chauce to curse 
hym. 

Sviche hastinesse I am afrayde, maye also be found amonges 
some of the, whych through out y^ Realme in diuerse places 
worke y^ kinges Artillarie for war, thinkynge yf they get a 
bowe or a sheafe of arrowes to some fashion, they be good 
ynough for bearynge gere. And thus that weapon whiche is 
the chiefe defence of the Realme, verye ofte doth lytle seruyce 
to hym that shoulde vse it, bycause it is so negligentlye wrought 
of him that shuld make it, when trewlye I suppose that nether 
ye bowe can be to good and chefe woode, nor yet to well 
seasoned or truly made, wyth hetynges and tillerynges, nether 
that shafte to good wood or to thorowely wrought, with the 
best pinion fedders that can be gotten, wherwith a man shal 
serue his prince, defende his countrie, and saue hym selfe frome 
his enemye. And I trust no man wyll be angrye wyth me for 
spekynge thus, but those which finde them selfe touched 
therin : which ought rather to be angrye wyth them selfe for 
doynge so, than to be miscontent wyth me for saynge so. And 
in no case they ought to be displeased wyth me, seinge this is 
spoken also after that sorte, not for the notynge of anye person 
seuerallye, but for the amendynge of euerye one generallye. 
But turne we agayne to knowe a good shootynge bowe for 
cure purpose. 

Euerye bowe is made eyther of a boughe, of a plante or of 
the boole of the tree. The boughe comonlye is verye knotty, 
and full of pinnes, weak, of small pithe, and sone wyll folowe 



The schole of shoting. jj 

the stringe, and seldome werith to anye fayre coloure, yet for 
chyldren & yonge beginners it maye serue well ynoughe. The 
plante proueth many times wel, yf it be of a good and clene 
groweth, and for the pith of it is quicke ynoughe of cast, it wyl 
plye and bow far afore it breake, as al other yoge thinges do. 
The boole of y^ tree is clenest w^out knot or pin, hauinge 
a faste and harde woode by reasonne of hys full groweth, stronge 
and myghtye of cast, and best for a bow, yf the staues be euen 
clouen, and be afterwarde wroughte not ouerwharte the 
woode, but as the graine and streyght growyng of the woode 
leadethe a man, or elles by all reason it must sone breake, & 
that in many shiuers. This must be considered in the roughe 
woode, & when the bow staues be ouerwrought and facioned. 
For in dressing and pikynge it vp for a bow, it is to late to loke 
for it But yet in these poyntes as I sayd before you muste 
truste an honest bowyer, to put a good bow in youre hand, 
somewhat lookinge your selfe to those tokens whyche I shewed 
you. And you muste not sticke for a grote or .xii. d. more 
than a nother man would giue yf it be a good bowe. For 
a good bow twise paide for is better than an ill bowe once 
broken. 

Thus a shooter muste begyn not at the makynge of hys 
bowe lyke a bower, but at the byinge of hys bow lyke an 
Archere. And when his bow is bought and brought home, 
afore he truste muche vpon it, let hym trye and trym it after 
thys sorte. 

Take your bow in to the feeld, shote in hym, sinke hym 
wyth deade heauye shaftes, looke where he comethe moost, 
prouyde for that place betymes, leste it pinche and so freate : 
whe you haue thus shot in him, and perceyued good shootynge 
woode in hym, you must haue hym agayne to a good cunnynge, 
and trustie woorkeman, whyche shall cut hym shorter, and pike 
hym and dresse hym fytter, make hym comme rounde compace 
euery where, and whippyng at the endes, but with discretion, 
lest he whyp in sunder or els freete, soner than he is ware of, 
he must also lay hym streght, if he be caste or otherwise nede 
require, and if he be flatte made, gather hym rounde, and so 
shall he bothe shoote the faster, for farre shootynge, and also 
the surer for nere pryckynge. PHI. What yf I come into 
a shoppe, and spye oute a bow, which shal both than please 



78 T'oxophilus. B. 

me very wel whan I by him, and be also very fit and meete for 
me whan I shote in hym : so that he be both weake ynoughe for 
easye shootynge, and also quycke and spedye ynoughe for farre 
castynge, than I woulde thynke I shall nede no more businesse 
wyth him, but be contente wyth hym, and vse hym well ynoughe, 
and so by that meanes, auoyde bothe great trouble, and also 
some cost whiche you cunnynge archers very often put your 
selues vnto, beynge verye Englyshe men, neuer ceasynge 
piddelynge about your bowe & shaftes whan they be well, but 
eyther with shorting and pikynge your bowes, or els with newe 
fetheryng, peecynge and headinge your shaftes, can neuer haue 
done vntyll they be starke nought. TOX. Wel Philologe^ 
surclye if I haue any iudgement at all in shootyng, it is no very 
great good token in a bowe, whereof nothyng whan it is newe 
and fresshe, nede be cutte away, euen as Cicero sayeth of a 
yonge manes wit and style, which you knowe better than I. 
For euerye newe thynge muste alwayes haue more than it 
neadeth, or elles it wyll not waxe better and better, but euer 
decaye, and be worse and worse. Newe ale if it runne not 
ouer the barrell whan it is newe tunned, wil sone lease his pith, 
and his head afore he be longe drawen on. 

And lyke wyse as that coke whyche at the fyrste takynge 
vp, nedeth lytle breakyng and handlyng, but is fitte and gentle 
ynoughe for the saddle, seeldome or neuer proueth well, euen so 
that bowe whyche at the fyrste byinge, wythout any more 
proofe & trimmynge, is fit and easie to shoote in, shall neyther 
be profitable to laste longe, nor yet pleasaunt to shoote well. 
And therfore as a younge horse full of corage, wyth handlynge 
and breakinge, is brought vnto a sure pace and goynge, so shall 
a newe bowe fresshe and quicke of caste, by sinkyng & 
cuttyng, be brought to a stedfast shootyng. And an easie and 
gentle bow whan it is newe, is not muche vnlyke a softe spirited 
boye when he is younge. But yet as of an vnrulie boye with 
right handlyng, proueth oftenest of al a well ordered man : so 
of an vnfit and stafFysh bow with good trimming, muste nedes 
folowe alwayes a stedfast shotynge bowe. 

And suche a perfite bowe, whiche neuer wyll deceyue a 
man, excepte a man deceyue it, muste be had for that perfe6le 
ende, whyche you looke for in shootinge. PHI. Well 
Toxophile, I see wel you be cunninger in this gere than I : 



'The schole of shoting. 79 

but put case that I haue thre or fower suche good bowes, pykcd 
and dressed, as you nowe speke of, yet I do remembre y^ manye 
learned men do saye, that it is easier to gette a good thynge, 
than to saue and keepe a good thyng, wherfore if you can teache 
me as concernyng that poynte, you haue satisfyed me plentifullye, 
as concernynge a bowe. TOX. Trulye it was the nexte 
thyng that I woulde haue come vnto, for so the matter laye. 

Whan you haue broughte youre bowe to suche a poynte, as 
I spake of, than you must haue an herde or wullen cloth waxed, 
wherw' euery day you must rubbe and chafe your bowe, tyll it 
shyne and glytter withall. Whyche thynge shall cause it bothe 
to be cleane, well fauoured, goodlye of coloure, and shall also 
bryng as it were a cruste, ouer it, that is to say, shall make it 
euery where on the outsyde, so slyppery and harde, that neyther 
any weete or wether can enter to hurte it, nor yet any freat or 
pynche, be able to byte vpon it : but that you shal do it great 
wrong before you breake it. This must be done oftentimes but 
specially when you come from shootynge. 

Beware also whan you shoote, of youre shaft hedes, dagger, 
knyues or agglettes, lest they race your bowe, a thing as I sayde 
before, bothe vnsemely to looke on, and also daugerous for 
freates. Take hede also of mistie and dankyshe dayes, whiche 
shal hurte a bowe, more than any rayne. For then you muste 
eyther alway rub it, or els leaue shootynge. 

Your bowecase (this I dyd not promise to speake of, bycause 
it is without the nature of shootynge, or els I 
shoulde truble me wyth other thinges infinite 
more : yet seing it is a sauegarde for the bowe, somthynge I wyll 
saye of it) youre bowecase I saye, yf you ryde forthe, muste 
neyther be to wyde for youre bowes, for so shall one clap vpon 
an other, and hurt them, nor yet so strayte that scarse they 
can be thrust in, for that woulde laye them on syde & wynde 
them A bowecase of ledder, is not the best, for that is ofttymes 
moyste which hurteth the bowes very much, Therfore I haue 
sene good shooters which would haue for euerye bowe, a sere 
case made of wollen clothe, and than you maye putte .iii. or .iiii. 
of them so cased, in to a ledder case if you wyll. This wollen 
case shall bothe kepe them in sunder, and also wylle kepe a 
bowe in his full strengthe, that it neuer gyue for any wether. 
At home these wood cases be verye good for bowes to stande in. 



8o 'Toxophilus. B. 

But take hede y^ youre bowe stande not to nere a stone wall, 
for that wyll make hym moyste and weke, nor yet to nere any 
fier for that wyll make him shorte and brittle. And thus muche 
as concernyng the sauyng and keping of [y]our bowe : nowe you 
shall heare what thynges ye must auoyde, for feare of breakyng 
your bowe. 

A shooter chaunseth to breake his bowe commonly .iiii, 
wayes, by the strynge, by the shafte, by drawyng to far, & by 
freates : By the stryng as I sayde afore, whan the strynge is 
eyther to shorte, to long, not surely put on, wyth one wap, or 
put croked on, or shorne in sundre wyth an euell nocke, or 
suffered to tarye ouer longe on. Whan the stryng fayles the 
bowe muste nedes breake, and specially in the myddes; because 
bothe the endes haue nothyng to stop them ; but whippes so far 
backe, that the belly must nedes violentlye rise vp, the whyche 
you shall well perceyue in bendyng of a bowe backward. 
Therfore a bowe that foloweth the strynge is least hurt with 
breakyng of strynges. By the shafte a bowe is broke ether 
when it is to short, and so you set it in your bow or when the 
nocke breakes for lytlenesse, or when the strynge slyppes 
wythoute the nocke for wydenesse, than you poule it to your 
eare and lettes it go, which must nedes breake the shafte at the 
leaste, and putte stringe and bow & al in ieopardy, bycause the 
strength of the bowe hath nothynge in it to stop the violence of it. 

Thys kynde of breakynge is mooste perilouse for the standers 
by, for in such a case you shall se some tyme the ende of a bow 
flye a hoole score from a ma, and that moost commonly, as I 
haue marked oft the vpper ende of the bowe. The bow is 
drawne to far .ii. wayes. Eyther when you take a longer 
shafte then your owne, or els when you shyfte your hand to 
low or to hye for shootynge far. Thys waye pouleth the backe 
in sunder, and then the bowe fleethe in manye peces. 

So when you se a bowe broken, hauynge the bellye risen vp 
both wayes or tone, the stringe brake it. When it is broken in 
twoo peces in a maner euen of and specyallye in the vpper ende, 
the shafte nocke brake it. 

When the backe is pouled a sunder in manye peeces, to farre 
drawynge brake it. 

These tokens eyther alwayes be trewe or els verye seldome 
mysse. 



T'he schole of shoting. 8 1 

The fourthe thyng that breketh a bow is fretes, whych 
make a bowe redye and apte to breake by any of 
the .iii. wayes afore sayde. Freetes be in a shaft 
as well as in a bowe, and they be muche lyke a Canker, 
crepynge and encreasynge in those places in a bowe, whyche 
be weaker then other. And for thys purpose must your bowe 
be well trymmed and piked of a coning man that it may come 
rounde in trew compasse euery where. For freetes you must 
beware, yf youre bow haue a knot in the backe, lest the places 
whyche be nexte it, be not alowed strong ynoughe to here w*^ 
the knotte, or elles the stronge knotte shall freate the weake 
places nexte it. Freates be fyrst litle pinchese, the whych whe 
you perceaue, pike the places about the pinches, to make them 
somewhat weker, and as well commynge as where it pinched, 
and so the pinches shall dye, and neuer encrease farther in to 
great freates. 

Freates begynne many tymes in a pin, for there the good 
woode is corrupted, that it muste nedes be weke, and bycause 
it is weake, therfore it freates. Good bowyers therfore do rayse 
euery pyn & alowe it moore woode for feare of freatynge. 

Agayne bowes moost commonlye freate vnder the hande, 
not so muche as some men suppose for the moistnesse of the 
hande, as for the heete of the hand : the nature of heate sayeth 
Aristotle is to lowse, and not to knyt fast, and the more lowser 
the more weaker, the weaker, the redier to freate. A bowe is 
not well made, whych hath not wood plentye in the hande. 
For ^'i the endes of the bowe be stafFyshe, or a mans hande any 
thynge hoote the bellye must nedes sone frete. Remedie for 
fretes to any purpose I neuer hard tell of any, but onelye to 
make the freated place as stronge or stronger then any other. 
To fill vp the freate with lytle sheuers of a quill and glewe (as 
some saye wyll do wel) by reason must be starke nought. 

For, put case the freete dyd cease then, yet the cause whiche 
made it freate a fore (and that is weakenesse of the place) bicause 
it is not taken away must nedes make it freate agayne. As for 
cuttyng out of freates wythe all maner of pecynge of bowes 
I wyll cleane exclude from perfite shootynge. For peced bowes 
be muche lyke owlde housen, whyche be more chargeable to 
repayre, than commodiouse to dwell in. Agayne to swadle 
a bowe much about wyth bundes, verye seldome dothe anye 



82 Toxophiliis. B. 

good, exccpte it be to kepe downe a spel in the backe, otherwyse 
bandes ether nede not when the bow is any thinge worthe, or 
els boote not whe it is marde & past best. And although I 
knowe meane and poore shooters, wyll vse peced and banded 
bowes sometyme bycause they are not able to get better when 
they woulde, yet I am sure yf they consyder it well, they shall 
fynde it, bothe lesse charge and more pleasure to ware at any 
tyme a couple of shyllynges of a new bowe than to bestowe 
.X. d of peacynge an olde bowe. For better is coste vpon 
somewhat worth, than spence vpon nothing worth. And thys 
I speke also bycause you woulde haue me referre all to perfit- 
nesse in shootynge. 

Moreouer there is an other thynge, whyche wyl sone cause 
a bowe be broken by one of the ,iii. wayes whych be first 
spoken of, and that is shotyng in winter, when there is any 
froste. Froste is wheresoeuer is any waterish humour, as is in 
al woodes, eyther more or lesse, and you knowe that al thynges 
frosen and Isie, wyl rather breke than bende. Yet if a man 
must nedes shoote at any suche tyme, lette hym take hys bowe, 
and brynge it to the fyer, and there by litle and litle, rubbe and 
chafe it with a waxed clothe, whiche shall bring it to that poynt, 
yt he maye shote safelye ynough in it. This rubbyng with 
waxe, as I sayde before, is a great succour, agaynst all wete and 
moystnesse. 

In the fyeldes also, in goyng betwyxt the pricks eyther wyth 
your hande, or elles wyth a clothe you muste keepe your bowe 
in suche a temper. And thus muche as concernynge youre 
bowe, howe fyrste to knowe what wood is best for a bowe, 
than to chose a bowe, after to trim a bowe, agayne to keepe it 
in goodnesse, laste of al, howe to saue it from al harm and 
euylnesse. 

And although many men can saye more of a bow yet I trust 
these thynges be true, and almoste sufficient for the knowlege 
of a perfe6le bowe. PHI. Surelye I beleue so, and yet I 
coulde haue hearde you talke longer on it : althogh I can not 
se, what maye be sayd more of it. Therfore excepte you wyll 
pause a whyle, you may go forwarde to a shafte. 

TOX. What shaftes were made of, in oulde tyme authours 
rr , r -,. do not so manifestlye shewe, as of bowes. Hero- 
dotus doth tel, that in the flood of Nilus, ther 



"The schole of shoting. 83 

was a beast, called a water horse, of whose skinne after it was 
dried, the Egyptians made shaftes, and dartes on. The 
tree called Cornus was so common to make 
shaftes of, that in good authours of ye latyn tongue, " 

Cornus is taken for a shafte, as in Seneca, and that place of 
Virgin, 

Volat Itala Cornus. Virg. enei. 9 

Yet of all thynges that euer I warked of olde authours, 

either greke or latin, for shaftes to be made of, there is nothing 

so comon as reedes, Herodotus in describynge the mightie 

boost of Xerxes doth tell that thre great contries r p 1 

vsed shaftes made of a rede, the Aethiopians, the 

Lycians (whose shaftes lacked fethers, where at I maruayle 

moste of all) and the men of Inde. The shaftes in . . „ 
1 J J 1 If Arnanus.'i. 

Inde were verye longe, a yarde and an nalre, as 

Arrianus doth saye, or at the least a yarde, as n n -t "^ 

Q. Curtius doth saye, and therfore they gaue y^ ' 

greater strype, but yet bycause they were so long, they were the 

more vnhansome, and lesse profitable to the men of Inde, as 

Curtius doeth tell. 

In Crete and Italic, they vsed to haue their shaftes of rede 
also. The best reede for shaftes grewe in Inde, 
and in Rhenus a flood of Italy. 

But bycause suche shaftes be neyther easie for Englishe 
men to get, and yf they were gotten scarse profitable for them 
to vse, I wyll lette them passe, and speake of those shaftes 
whyche Englysh men at this daye moste comonly do approue 
and allowe. 

A shaft hath three principall partes, the stele, the fethers, 
and the head : whereof euerye one muste be seuerallye spoken of. 

C Steles be made of dyuerse woodes, as, 

Brasell. 

Turkic wood. 

Fusticke. 

Sugercheste. 

Hardbeame. 

Byrche. 

Asshe. 

Ooke. 

F 2 



84 T'oxophiius. B. 

Seruis tree. 

Hulder. 

Blackthorne. 

Beche. 

Elder. 

Aspe. 

Salow. 

These wooddes as they be most commonly vsed, so they be 
mooste fit to be vsed : yet some one fytter then an other for 
diuers mennes shotinge, as shalbe toulde afterwarde. And in 
this pointe as in a bowe you muste truste an honest fletcher. 
Neuerthelesse al thoughe I can not teache you to make a bowe 
or a shafte, whiche belongeth to a bowyer and a fletcher to 
come to theyr lyuyng, yet wyll I shewe you some tokens to 
knowe a bowe & a shafte, whiche pertayneth to an Archer to 
come to good shootynge. 

A stele muste be well seasoned for Castinge, and it must be 
made as the grayne Heth & as it groweth or els it wyl neuer flye 
clene, as clothe cut oucrtwhart and agaynste the wulle, can 
neuer hoose a manne cleane. A knottye stele maye be suffered 
in a bygge shafte, but for a lytle shafte it is nothynge fit, bothe 
bycause it wyll neuer flye far, and besydes that it is euer in 
danger of breakynge, it flieth not far bycause the strengthe of the 
shoote is hindred and stopped at the knotte, euen as a stone 
cast in to a plaine euen stil water, wyll make the water moue 
a greate space, yet yf there be any whirlynge plat in the water, 
the mouynge ceasethe when it commethe at the whyrlynge 
plat, whyche is not muche vnlyke a knotte in a shafte yi it be 
cosidered wel. So euery thyng as it is plaine and streight of 
hys owne nature so is it fittest for far mouynge. Therfore 
a stele whyche is harde to stade in a bowe, without knotte, and 
streighte (I meane not artificiallye streyghte as the fletcher dothe 
make it, but naturally streight as it groweth in the wood) is best 
to make a shaft of, eyther to go cleane, fly far or stand surely 
in any wedder. Now howe big, how small, how heuye, how 
lyght, how longe, how short, a shafte shoulde be particularlye 
for euerye man (seynge we must taulke of the generall nature 
of shootyng) can not be toulde no more than you Rhethoricians 
can appoynt any one kynde of wordes, of sentences, of fygures 



T'he schole of shoting. 85 

fyt for euery matter, but euen as the man and the matter 
requyreth so the fyttest to be vsed. Therfore as concernynge 
those contraryes in a shafte, euery man muste auoyde them and 
draw to the meane of them, whyche meane is best in al thynges. 
Yet yf a man happen to ofFende in any of the extremes it is 
better to offend in want and scantnesse, than in to muche and 
outragiouse excedynge. As it is better to haue a shafte a lytle 
to shorte than ouer longe, somewhat to lyght, than ouer 
lumpysshe, a lytle to small, than a greate deale to big, whiche 
thyng is not onely trewlye sayde in shootynge, but in all other 
thynges that euer man goeth aboute, as in eatynge, taulkynge, 
and all other thynges lyke, whych matter was onse excellentlye 
disputed vpon, in the Scooles, you knowe when. 

And to offend, in these contraryes cometh much yf men 
take not hede, throughe the kynd of wood, wherof the shaft is 
made : For somme wood beloges to y*^ excedyng part, some to 
ye scat part, some to y^ meane, as Brasell, Turkiewood, 
Fusticke, Sugar cheste, & such lyke, make deade, heuy lupish, 
hobblyng shaftes Againe Hulder, black thorne, Serues tree, 
Beche, Elder, Aspe, and Salowe, eyther for theyr wekenes or 
lyghtenesse, make holow, starting, scudding, gaddynge shaftes. 
But Birche, Hardbeme, some Ooke, and some Asshe, beynge 
bothe stronge ynoughe to stande in a bowe, and also lyght 
ynoughe to flye far, are best for a meane, whiche is to be 
soughte oute in euery thinge. And althoughe I knowe that 
some me shoote so stronge, that the deade woodes be lyghte 
ynoughe for them, and other some so weeke, that the lowse 
woodes be lykewyse for them bigge ynoughe yet generally for 
the moost parte of men, the meane is the best. And so to 
conclude, that is alwayes beste for a man, whiche is metest for 
him. Thus no wood of his owne nature, is eyther to lyght or 
to heuy, but as the shooter is him selfe whyche dothe vse it. For 
that shafte whiche one yeare for a man is to lyghte and scud- 
dinge, for the same selfe man the next yeare may chaunce be to 
heuy and hobblynge. Therfore can not I expresse, excepte 
generally, what is best wood for a shaft, but let euery ma when 
he knoweth his owne strength and the nature of euery wood, 
prouyde and fyt himselfe thereafter. Yet as concerning sheaffe 
Arrouse for war (as I suppose) it were better to make them of 
good Asshe, and not of Aspe, as they be now a dayes. For of 



86 I'oxophilus. B. 

all other woodes that euer I proued Asshe being big is swiftest 
and agayne heuy to giue a greate stripe with all, whychc Aspe 
shall not doo. What heuynes doth in a stripe euery man by 
experience can tell, therfore Asshe being both swyfter and 
heuier is more fit for sheafe Arroes the Aspe, & thus muche 
for the best wood for shaftes. 

Agayne lykewyse as no one wood can be greatlye meet for 
all kynde of shaftes, no more can one facion of the stele be fit 
for euery shooter. For those that be lytle brested and big 
toward the hede called by theyr lykenesse taperfashio, reshe 
growne, and of some merrye fellowes bobtayles, be fit for them 
whiche shote vnder hande bycause they shoote wyth a softe 
lowse, and stresses not a shaft muche in the breste where the 
weyghte of the bowe lyethe as you maye perceyue by the 
werynge of euery shafte. 

Agayne the bygge brested shafte is fytte for hym, which 
shoteth right afore him, or els the brest being weke shoulde 
neuer wythstande that strong piththy kynde of shootynge, thus 
the vnderhande must haue a small breste, to go cleane awaye 
oute of the bowe, the forehande muste haue a bigge breste to 
here the great myghte of the bowe. The shafte must be made 
rounde nothynge flat wyth out gal or wemme, for thys purpose. 
For bycause roundnesse (whether you take example in heauen 
or in earthe) is fittest shappe and forme both for fast mouing 
and also for sone percynge of any thynge. And therfore 
Aristotle saythe that nature hath made the raine to be round, 
bycause it shoulde the easelyer enter throughe the ayre. 

The nocke of the shafte is dyuersly made, for some be greate 
and full, some hansome & lytle, some wyde, some narow, some 
depe, some shalowe, some round, some longe, some wyth one 
nocke, some wyth a double nocke, wherof euery one hathe hys 
propertye. 

The greate and full nocke, maye be well felte, and many 
wayes they saue a shafte from brekynge. The hansome and 
lytle nocke wyll go clene awaye frome the hand, the wyde 
nocke is noughte, both for breakyng of the shafte and also for 
soden slyppynge oute of the strynge when the narrowe nocke 
doth auoyde bothe those harmes. The depe and longe nocke is 
good in warre for sure kepyng in of the strynge. The shalow, 
and rownde nocke is best for our purpose in prickyng for cleane 



T'he schole of shoting. 87 

delyueraunce of a shoote. And double nockyng is vsed for 
double suerty of the shaft And thus far as concernynge a 
hoole stele. 

Peecynge of a shafte with brasell and holie, or other heauy 
woodes, is to make y^ ende compasse heauy with the fethers in 
fliyng, for the stedfaster shotyng. For if the ende were plumpe 
heauy wyth lead and the wood nexte it lyghte, the head ende 
woulde euer be downwardes, and neuer flye strayght. 

Two poyntes in peecing be ynough, lest the moystnes of the 
earthe enter to moche into the peecinge, & so leuse the glue. 
Therfore many poyntes be more plesaunt to the eye, than 
profitable for the vse. 

Sume vse to peece theyr shaftes in the nocke wyth brasel, 
or holye, to counterwey, with the head, and I haue sene sume 
for the same purpose, bore an hole a lytle bineth the nocke, and 
put leade in it. But yet none of these wayes be anye thing 
needful at al, for ye nature of a fether in flying, if a man marke 
it wel, is able to bear vp a wonderful weyght : and I th'ike 
suche peecing came vp first, thus : whan a good Archer hath 
broken a good shafte, in the fethers, & for the fantasie he hath 
had to it, he is lothe to leese it, & therfore doeth he peece it. 
And than by and by other eyther bycause it is gaye, or elles 
because they wyll haue a shafte lyke a good archer, cutteth 
theyre hole shaftes, and peeceth them agayne : A thynge by my 
iudgement, more costlye than nedefull. 

And thus haue you heard what wood, what fasshion, what 
nockynge, what peecynge a stele muste haue : Nowe foloweth 
the fetherynge. 

PHI. I woulde neuer haue thought you could haue sayd 
halfe so muche of a stele, and I thynke as concernyng the litle 
fether and the playne head, there is but lytle to saye. TOX. 
Lytle, yes trulye : for there is no one thing, in al shoting, so- 
moche to be loked on as the fether. For fyrste a question maye 
be asked, whether any other thing besyde a fether, be fit for 
a shaft or no ? if a fether onelye be fit, whether a goose fether 
onely, or no ? yf a goose fether be best, then whether there be 
any difference, as concernynge the fether of an oulde goose, and 
a younge goose : a gander, or a goose : a fennye goose, or an 
vplandish goose. Againe which is best fether in any goose, the 
ryght wing or the left wing, the pinion fether, or any other 



88 'Toxophiius. B. 

fether : a whyte, blacke, or greye fether ? Thirdly, in settyng 
on of your fether, whether it be pared or drawen wt a thicke 
rybbe, or a thinne rybbe (the rybbe is y^ hard quill whiche 
deuydeth the fether) a long fether better or a shorte, set on nere 
the nocke, or farre from the nocke, set on streight, or som what 
bowyng ? & whether one or two fethers runne on the bowe. 
Fourthly in couling or sheryng, whether high or lowe, whether 
somewhat swyne backed (I muste vse shoters wordes) or sadle 
backed, whether roundc, or square shorne ? And whether a 
shaft at any tyme ought to be plucked, and how to be plucked. 
PHI. Surely Toxophile, I thynke manye fletchers (although 
daylye they haue these thinges in vre) if they were asked 
sodeynly, what they coulde saye of a fether, they could not 
saye so moch. But I praye you let me heare you more at large, 
expresse those thynges in a fether, the whiche you packed vp in 
so narrowe a rowme. And fyrst whether any other thyng may 
be vsed for a fether or not. TOX, That was y^ fyrste poynte 
in dede, and bycause there foloweth many after, I wyll hye 
apace ouer them, as one that had manye a myle to ride. Shaftes 

to haue had alwayes fethers Plinius in Latin, and 
/PI lulius Pollux in Greke, do playnlye shewe, yet 

Her. Polym'. onely the Lycians I reade in Herodotus to haue 

vsed shaftes without fedders. Onelye a fedder is 
fit for a shafte for .ii. causes, fyrste bycause it is leathe weake to 
giue place to the bowe, than bycause it is of that nature, that it 
wyll starte vp after ye bow So, Plate, wood or home can not 
serue, bycause the[y] wil not gyue place. Againe, Cloth, Paper, 
or Parchment can not serue, bycause they wyll not ryse after 
the bowe, therfore a fedder is onely mete, bycause it onelye wyl 
do bothe. Nowe to looke on the fedders of all maner of birdes, 
you shal se some so lowe weke and shorte, some so course, stoore 
and harde, and the rib so brickie, thin and narrow, that it can 
nether be drawen, pared, nor yet well set on, that except it be 
a swan for a dead shafte (as I knowe some good Archers haue 
vsed) or a ducke for a flyghte whiche lastes but one shoote, there 
is no fether but onelye of a goose that hath all commodities in 
it. And trewelye at a short but, which some ma doth vse, ye 
Pecock fether doth seldome kepe vp y^ shaft eyther ryght or 
leuel, it is so roughe and heuy, so that many me which haue 
taken them vp for gayenesse, hathe layde them downe agayne 



T'he schole of shoting. 89 

for profyte, thus for our purpose, the Goose is best fether, for 

the best shoter. PHI. No that is not so, for the best shoter 

that euer was vsed other fethers. TOX. Ye are you so cun- 

ninge in shootynge I praye you who was that. PHI. Hercules 

whyche had hys shaftes fethered with Egles fethers 

as Hesiodus dothe saye. TOX. Well as for f.'Z'^'Her. 

Hercules, seynge nether water nor lande, heauen 

nor hell, coulde scarse contente hym to abyde in, it was no 

meruell thoughe a sely poore gouse fether could not plese him 

to shoote wythal, and agayne as for Egles they flye so hye and 

builde so far of, y'^ they be very hard to coe by. Yet welfare 

the gentle o-ouse which bringeth to a man euen to 
,S^ 1^ J--T? A Gouse. 

hys doore so manye excedynge commodities, r or 

the gouse is mas coforte in war & in peace slepynge and wakynge. 

What prayse so euer is gyuen to shootynge the gouse may 

chalenge the beste parte in it. How well dothe she make a 

man fare at his table ? Howe easelye dothe she make a man lye 

in hys bed ? How fit euen as her fethers be onelye for shootynge, 

so be her quylles fytte onelye for wrytyng. PHILO. In deade 

Toxophyle that is the beste prayse you gaue to a gouse yet, and 

surelye I would haue sayde you had bene to blame yf you had 

ouerskypte it. TOX. The Romaynes I trowe Philologe not 

so muche bycause a gouse wyth cryinge saued theyr Capitoliu 

and head toure wyth their golden lupiter as Propertius doth say 

very pretely in thys verse. 

Anserls et tiitum uoce fu'isse louem. 

T , , ■' Propertius. 

Id est. ^ 

Theues on a night had stolne lupiter., had a gouse not a kekede. 

Dyd make a golden gouse and set hir in the top of y«^ 
Capitoliu, & appoynted also the Censores to alow 
out of ye common hutche yearly stipedes for y^ -^'f" '• 
findinge of certayne Geese, y^ Romaynes did not 
I saye giue al thys honor to a gouse for yt good dede onely, but 
for other infinit mo which come daylye to a man by Geese, and 
surely yf I should declame in y^ prayse of any maner of beest 
lyuyng, I would chose a gouse. But the gouse hath made vs flee 
to farre from oure matter. Now sir ye haue hearde howe a 
fether must be had, and that a goose fether onely. It foloweth 
of a yong gose and an oulde, and the residue belonging to a fether: 



go Toxophilus. B. 

which thing I wyll shortlye course ouer : wherof, when you 
knowe the properties, you maye fitte your shaftes accordyng to 
your shotyng, which rule you must obserue in all other thynges 
too, bycause no one fashion or quantitie can be fitte for euery 
man, nomore than a shooe or a cote can be. The oulde goose 
fether is styffe and stronge, good for a wynde, and fyttest for 
a deed shaft : the yonge goose fether is weake and fyne, best 
for a swyfte shaft, and it must be couled at the first shering, 
somewhat hye, for with shoting, it wyll sattle and faule very 
moche. The same thing (although not so moche) is to be 
cosydered in a goose and a gander. A fenny goose, euen as 
her flesh is blacker, stoorer, vnholsomer, so is her fether for the 
same cause courser stoorer & rougher, & therfore I haue heard 
very good fletchers saye, that the seconde fether in some place 
is better then the pinion in other some. Betwixt the winges is 
lytle difFercce, but that you must haue diuerse shaftes of one 
flight, fethered with diuerse winges, for diuerse windes : for if 
the wynde and the fether go both one way the shaft wyl be 
caryed to moche. The pinion fether as it hath the firste place 
in the winge, so it hath the fyrst place in good fetheringe. You 
maye knowe it afore it be pared, by a bought whiche is in it, 
and agayne when it is colde, by the thinnesse aboue, and the 
thicknesse at the grounde, and also by the stifnes and finesse 
which wyll cary a shaft better, faster and further, euen as a fine 
sayle cloth doth a shyppe. 

The coulour of the fether is leste to be regarded, yet 
som what to be looked on : lest for a good whyte you haue 
sometyme an yll greye. Yet surelye it standeth with good 
reaso to haue the cocke fether black or greye, as it were to gyue 
a man warning to nocke ryght. The cocke fether is called that 
which stadeth aboue in right nocking, which if you do not 
obserue the other fethers must nedes run on the bowe, and so 
marre your shote. And thus farre of the goodnesse and choyse 
of your fether: now foloweth the setting on. Wherin you must 
looke that your fethers be not drawen for hastinesse, but pared 
euen and streyghte with diligence. The fletcher draweth a 
fether when he hath but one swappe at it with his knyfe, and 
then playneth it a lytle, with rubbynge it ouer his knyfe. He 
pareth it when he taketh leysure and hede to make euery parte 
of the ryb apt to stand streight, and euen on vpon the stele. 



T'he schole of shoting. 9 1 

This thing if a man take not heede on, he maye chaunce haue 
cause to saye so of his fletcher, as in dressinge of meate is 
coinmunelye spoken of Cookes : and that is, that God sendeth 
vs good fethers, but the deuyll noughtie Fletchers. Yf any 
fletchers heard me saye thus, they wolde not be angrye with 
me, except they were yll fletchers : and yet by reason, those 
fletchers too, ought rather to amend them selues for doing yll, 
then be angry with me for saying truth. The ribbe in a styffe 
fether may be thinner, for so it wyll stande cleaner on : but in 
a weake fether you must leaue a thicker ribbe, or els yf the ryb 
which is the foundacion and grounde, wherin nature hath set 
euerye clefte of the fether, be taken to nere the fether, it muste 
nedes folowe, that the fether shall faule, & droupe downe, euen 
as any herbe doeth whyche hath his roote to nere taken on with 
a spade. The lengthe and shortnesse of the fether, serueth for 
diuers shaftes, as a long fether for a long heauy, or byg shafte, 
the shorte fether for the contrary. Agayne the shorte may 
stande farther, the longe nerer the nocke. Youre fether muste 
stande almooste streyght on, but yet after that sorte, yt^ it maye 
turne rounde in flyinge. And here I consider the wonderfull 
nature of shootynge, whiche standeth all togyther by that 
fashion, which is moste apte for quicke mouynge, and that is 
by roundenesse. For firste the bowe must be gathered rounde, 
in drawyng it must come rounde compasse, the strynge muste 
be rounde, the stele rounde, the beste nocke rounde, the feather 
shorne somwhat rounde, the shafte in flyenge, muste turne 
rounde, and if it flye far, it flyeth a round compace. For 
eyther aboue or benethe a rounde copace, hyndereth the flyinge. 
Moreouer bothe the fletcher in makynge your shafte, and you 
in nockynge your shafte, muste take heede that two fethers 
equallye runne on the bowe. For yf one fether runne alone 
on the bowe, it shal quickely be worne, and shall not be able to 
matche with the other fethers, and agayne at the lowse, yi the 
shafte be lyght, it wyl starte, if it be heuye, it wil hoble. And 
thus as concernyng settyng on of your fether. Nowe of 
coulynge. 

To shere a shafte hyghe or lowe, muste be as the shafte is 
heauy or lyght, great or iytle, long or short The swyiie backed 
fashion, maketh the shaft deader, for it gathereth more ayer than 
the saddle backed, & therfore the saddle backe is surer for 



92 'Toxophilus. B. 

daunger of wether, & fitter for smothe fliing. Agayn to shere 
a shaft rounde, as they were wount somtime to do, or after the 
triangle fashion, whyche is muche vsed nowe a dayes, bothe be 
good. For roundnesse is apte for fliynge of his owne nature, 
and all maner of triangle fashion, (the sharpe poynte goyng 
before) is also naturall)^ apte for quycke entrynge, and therfore 
sayth Cicero, that cranes taught by nature, obserue 
ui Hyinge a triangle fashion aiwayes, bycause it is 
so apt to perce and go thorowe the ayer wythall. Laste of all 
pluckynge of fethers is noughte, for there is no suerty in it, 
therfore let euery archer haue such shaftes, that he maye bothe 
knowe them and trust them at euery chaunge of wether. Yet 
if they must nedes be plucked, plucke them as litle as can be, for 
so shal they be the lesse vnconstante. And thus I haue knit vp 
in as shorte a roume as I coulde, the best fethers fetheringe and 
coulinge of a shafte. PHI. I thynke surelye you haue so taken 
vp the matter wyth you, y^ you haue lefte nothynge behinde 
you. Nowe you haue brought a shafte to the head, whiche if 
it were on, we had done as concernyng all instrumentes be- 
longyng to shootynge. 

TOX. Necessitie, the inuentour of all goodnesse (as all 
authours in a maner, doo saye) amonges all other thinges 
inuented a shaft heed, firste to saue the ende from breakyng, 
then it made it sharpe to stycke better, after it made it of strog 
matter, to last better : Last of all experience and wysedome of 
men, hathe brought it to suche a perfitnesse, that there is no 
one thing so profitable, belongyng to artillarie, either to stryke 
a mannes enemye sorer in warre, or to shoote nerer the marke 
at home, then is a fitte heed for both purposes. For if a shaft 
lacke a heed, it is worth nothynge for neither vse. Therfore 
seinge heedes be so necessary, they must of necessitie, be wel 
looked vpon Heedes for warre, of longe tyme haue ben made, 
not onely of diuers matters, but also of diuers fashions The 
Troians had heedes of yron, as this verse spoken of Pandarus, 
sheweth : 

Vp to the pappe hh string did he pull^ his shaft to the harde yron. 
Iliados. 4. 

The Grecians had heedes of brasse, as Vlysses shaftes were 



The schole of shoting. 93 

heeded, when he slewe Antinous, and the other wowers of 
Penelope. 

^u'lte through a dore^ flewe a shafte with a brasse heed. 

Odysse. ii. 

It is playne in Homer, where Menelaus was wounded of 
Pandarus shafte, yt the heedes were not glewed on, but tyed on 
with a string, as the comentaries in Greke playne- 
lye tell. And therfore shoters at that tyme to ' ^' 

cary their shaftes withoute heedes, vntill they occupyed them, 
and than set on an heade as it apereth in Homer the .xxi. booke 
Odyssei^ where Penelope brought Vlixes bowe downe amonges 
the gentlemen, whiche came on wowing to her, that he whiche 
was able to bende it and drawe it, might inioye 
her, and after her folowed a mayde sayth Homer, 
carienge a bagge full of heades, bothe of iron and brasse. 

The men of Scythia, vsed heades of brasse. The men of 
Inde vsed heades of yron The Ethiopians vsed heades of a 
harde sharpe stone, as bothe Herodotus and Pollux 
do tel. The Germanes as Cornelius Tacitus ^^'^• 

doeth saye, had theyr shaftes headed with bone, '' Pohm 
and many countryes bothe of olde tyme and nowe, 
vse heades of home, but of all other yro and style muste nedes 
be the fittest for heades. 

lulius Pollux calleth otherwyse than we doe, where the 
fathers be the head, and that whyche we call the 
head, he calleth the poynte. 

Fashion of heades is diuers and that of olde tyme : two 
maner of arrowe heades sayeth Pollux, was vsed in olde tyme. 
The one he calleth 6yKivo<; descry bynge it thus, hauyng two 
poyntes or barbes, lookyng backewarde to the stele and the 
fethers, which surely we call in Englishe a brode arrowe head 
or a swalowe tayle. The other he calleth iy^&)^i9, hauing .ii. 
poyntes stretchyng forwarde, and this Englysh men do call 
a forkehead : bothe these two kyndes of heades, were vsed in 
Homers dayes, for Teucer vsed forked heades, sayinge thus to 
Agamemnon. 

Eighte good shaftes ham I shot s'lthe I came^ eche one ivyth a 
forke heade. niad. 8. 

Pandarus heades and Vlysses heades were broode arrow 



94 Toxophilus. B. 

heades, as a man maye learne in Homer that woulde be curiouse 
in knowyng that matter. Hercules vsed forked heades, but yet 

they had thre pointes or forkes, when other mennes 
^nCrai'sT ^^^ ^^^ twoo. The Parthyans at that great battell 

where they slewe ritche Crassus and his sonne vsed 
brode Arrowe heades, whyche stacke so sore that the Romaynes 
could not poule them out agayne. Commodus the Emperoure 

vsed forked heades, whose facion Herodiane doeth 

lyuely and naturally describe, sayinge that they 
were lyke the shap of a new mone wherewyth he would smite 
of the heade of a birde and neuer misse, other facion of heades 
haue not I red on. Our Englyshe heades be better in war than 
eyther forked heades, or brode arrowe heades. For firste the 
ende beynge lyghter they flee a great deele the faster, and by 
the same reason gyueth a far sorer stripe. Yea & I suppose if 
ye same lytle barbes which they haue, were clene put away, 
they shuld be far better. For thys euery ma doth graunt, yt 
a shaft as log as it flyeth, turnes, and wha it leueth turnyng it 
leueth goyng any farther. And euery thynge that enters by 
a turnynge and boring facion, the more flatter it is, the worse it 
enters, as a knife thoughe it be sharpe yet because of the edges, 
wil not bore so wel as a bodkin, for euery rounde thynge enters 
beste & therefore nature, sayeth Aristotle, made the rayne 
droppes rounde for quicke percynge the ayre. Thus, eyther 
shaftes turne not in flyeng, or els our flatte arrowe heades stoppe 
the shafte in entrynge. PHI. But yet Toxophile to holde your 
communication a lytle I suppose the flat heade is better, bothe 
bycause it maketh a greter hoole, and also bycause it stickes 
faster in. TOX. These two reasons as they be bothe trewe, 
so they be both nought. For fyrst the lesse hoole, yi it be depe, 
is the worst to heale agayn : whe a man shoteth at hys enemy, 
he desyreth rather y^ it should enter far, than stick fast. For 
what remedye is it I praye you for hym whych is smitten w' 
a depe wounde to poull out the shaft quickely, except it be to 
haste his death spedely ? thus heades whyche make a lytle hole 
& depe, be better in war, than those which make a great hole 
and sticke fast in. 

lulius Pollux maketh mencion of certayne kindes of 
„ ., heades for war which bear fyre in them, and 

Psal. 7. scripture also speaketh somwhat of the same. 



The schole of shotmg. 95 

Herodotus cloth tell a wonderfull pollicy to be done by 
Xerxses what tyme he beseged the great Toure in 
Athenes : He made his Archers binde there shafte 
heades aboute wyth towe, and than set it on fyre and shoote 
the, whych thyng done by many Archers set all the places on 
fyre, whych were of matter to burne : and besydes that dased 
the men wythin, so y^ they knewe not whyther to turne them. 
But to make an ende of all heades for warre I woulde wyshe 
that the head makers of Englande shoulde make their sheafe 
arrowe heades more harder poynted then they be : for I my selfe 
haue sene of late suche heades set vpo sheafe Arrowes, as y^ 
officers yf they had sene them woulde not haue bene content 
wyth all. 

Now as concernyng heades for pryckyng, which is oure 
purpose, there be dyuerse kyndes, some be blonte heades, some 
sharpe, some bothe blonte and sharpe. The blont heades men 
vse bycause they perceaue them to be good, to kepe a lengthe 
wyth all, they kepe a good lengthe, bycause a man poulethe 
them no ferder at one tyme than at another. For in felynge 
the plompe ende alwayes equallye he may lowse them. Yet in 
a winde, and agaynste the wynd the wether hath so much power 
on the brode end, y^ no man can kepe no sure lengthe, wyth 
such a heade. Therfore a blont hede in a caulme or downe 
a wind is very good, otherwyse none worse. 

Sharpe heades at the ende wythout anye shoulders (I call 
that the shoulder in a heade whyche a mans finger shall feele 
afore it come to the poynte) wyll perche quycklye throughe 
a wyndc, but yet it hath .ii. discommodities, the one that it 
wyll kepe no lengthe, it kepeth no lengthe, bycause no manne 
can poule it certaynly as far one tyme as at an other : it is not 
drawen certaynlye so far one tyme as at an other, bycause it 
lackethe shouldrynge wherwyth as wyth a sure token a man 
myghte be warned when to lowse, and also bycause menne are 
afrayde of the sharpe poynt for settyng it in y^ bow. The 
seconde incomoditie is when it is lyghted on y<^ ground, y^ smal 
poynte shall at euerye tyme be in ieopardye of hurtynge, whyche 
thynge of all other wyll sonest make the shafte lese the lengthe. 
Now when blonte heades be good to kepe a lengthe wythall, 
yet noughte for a wynde, sharpe heades good to perche the 
wether wyth al, yet nought for a length, certayne heademakers 



96 'Toxophilus. B. 

dwellyng in London perceyuynge the commoditie of both kynde 
of heades ioyned wyth a discommoditie, inuented newe files and 
other instrumentes where wyth [t]he[y] broughte heades for 
pryckynge to such a perfitnesse, that all the commodities of the 
twoo other heades should be put in one heade wyth out anye 
discommoditie at all. They made a certayne kynde of heades 
whyche men call hie rigged, creased, or shouldred heades, or 
syluer spone heades, for a certayne lykenesse that suche heades 
haue wyth the knob ende of some syluer spones. 

These heades be good both to kepe a length withal and also 
to perche a wynde wythal, to kepe a length wythall bycause a 
man maye certaynly poule it to the shouldrynge euery shoote 
and no farther, to perche a wynde wythall bycause the pointe 
from the shoulder forwarde, breketh the wether as al other 
sharpe thynges doo. So the blonte shoulder seruethe for a sure 
lengthe kepynge, the poynte also is euer fit, for a roughe and 
greate wether percyng. And thus much as shortlye as I could, 
as concernyng heades both for war & peace. PHI. But is 
there no cunning as concerning setting on of y^ head ? TOX. 
Wei remebred. But that poynt belongeth to fletchers, yet you 
may desyre hym to set youre heade, full on, and close on. Ful 
on is whan the wood is be[n]t hard vp to the ende or stoppynge 
of the heade, close on, is when there is lefte wood on euerye 
syde the shafte, ynoughe to fyll the head withall, or when it is 
neyther to little nor yet to greate. If there be any faulte in 
anye of these poyntes, y^ head whan it lyghteth on any hard 
stone or grounde wil be in ieoperdy, eyther of breakynge, or els 
otherwyse hurtynge. Stoppynge of heades eyther wyth leade, 
or any thynge els, shall not nede now, bycause euery siluer 
spone, or showldred head is stopped of it selfe. Shorte heades 
be better than longe : For firste the longe head is worse for the 
maker to fyle stray ght compace euery waye : agayne it is worse 
for the fletcher to set strayght on: thyrdlye it is alwayes in 
more ieoperdie of breakinge, whan it is on. And nowe I 
trowe Philologe, we haue done as concernynge all Instrumentes 
belongyng to shootynge, whiche euery sere archer ought to 
prouyde for hym selfe. And there remayneth .ii. thynges 
behinde, whiche be generall or comon to euery man the Wether 
& the Marke, but bicause they be so knit wyth shootynge 
strayght, or kepynge of a lengthe, I wyll deferre them to that 



The schoie of shoting. 97 

place, and now we will come (God wyllyng) to handle oure 
instrumentes, the thing that euery man desireth to do wel. 
PHI. If you can teache me so well to handle these instrumetes 
as you haue described them, I suppose I shalbe an archer good 
ynough. TOX. To learne any thing (as you knowe better 
than I Philologe) & speciallye to do a thing w' a mannes handes, 
must be done if a man woulde be excellent, in his youthe, 
Yonge trees in gardens, which laclce al senses, and beastes w'out 
reson, when they be yong, may with handling and teaching, be 
brought to wonderfull thynges. And this is not onely true in 
natural thinges, but in artificiall thinges to, as the potter most 
connyngly doth cast his pottes whan his claye is softe & work- 
able, and waxe taketh printe whan it is warme, & leathie weke, 
not whan claye and waxe be hard and oulde : and euen so, 
euerye man in his youthe, bothe with witte and body is moste 
apte and pliable to receyue any cunnyng that shulde be taught 
hym. 

This comunication of teaching youthe, maketh me to 
remembre the right worshipfull and my singuler good mayster, 
Sir Humfrey Wingfelde, to whom nexte God, I ought to refer 
for his manifolde benefites bestowed on me, the poore talent of 
learnyng, whiche god hath lent me : & for his sake do I owe 
my seruice to all other of the name & noble house of the 
Wyngfeldes, bothe in woord and dede. Thys worshypfull 
man hath euer loued and vsed, to haue many children brought 
vp in learnynge in his house amonges whome I my selfe was 
one. For whom at terme tymes he woulde bryng downe from 
Londo bothe bowe and shaftes. And when they shuld playe 
he woulde go with them him selfe in to the fyelde, & se them 
shoote, and he that shot fayrest, shulde haue the best bowe and 
shaftes, and he that shot ilfauouredlye, shulde be mocked of his 
felowes, til he shot better. 

Woulde to god all Englande had vsed or wolde vse to lay 
the foundacion of youth, after the example of this worshipful 
man in bringyng vp chyldren in the Booke and the Bowe: by 
whiche two thynges, the hole common welth both in peace and 
warre is chefelye ruled and defended wythall. 

But to our purpose, he that muste come to this high per- 
feftnes in shootyng whiche we speake of, muste nedes begin 
to learne it in hys youthe, the omitting of whiche thinge in 



gS 'Toxophilus. B. 

Englande, bothe maketh fewer shooters, and also euery man 
that is a shoter, shote warse than he myght, if he were taught. 
PHI. Euen as I knowe that this is true, whiche you saye, 
euen so Toxophile, haue you quyte discouraged me, and drawen 
my minde cleane from shootynge, seinge by this reason, no man 
yt hath not vsed it in his youthe can be excellent in it. And 
I suppose the same reson woulde discourage many other mo, yf 
they hearde you talke after this sorte. TOX. This thyng 
Philologe, shall discourage no man that is wyse. For I wyll 
proue yt wisdome maye worke the same thinge in a man, that 
nature doth in a chylde. 

A chylde by thre thinges, is brought to excellencie. By 
Aptnesse, Desire, and Feare : Aptnesse maketh hym pliable 
lyke waxe to be formed and fashioned, euen as a man woulde 
haue hym. Desyre to be as good or better, than his felowes : 
and Feare of them whome he is vnder, wyl cause hym take 
great labour and payne with diligent hede, in learnynge any 
thinge, wherof procedeth at the laste excellency and perfedt- 
nesse. 

A man maye by wisdome in learnyng any thing, and 
specially to shoote, haue thre lyke commodities also, wherby he 
maye, as it were become younge agayne, and so attayne to 
excellencie. For as a childe is apte by naturall youth, so a 
man by vsyng at the firste weake bowes, far vnderneth his 
strength, shal be as pliable and readye to be taught fayre 
shotyng as any chylde : and daylye vse of the same, shal both 
kepe hym in fayer shotyng, and also at y^ last bryng hym to 
stronge shootynge. 

And in stede of the feruente desyre, which prouoketh a 
chylde to be better than hys felowe, lette a man be as muche 
stirred vp with shamefastnes to be worse than all other. And 
the same place that feare hathe in a chylde, to compell him to 
take peyne, the same hath loue of shotyng in a man, to cause 
hym forsake no labour, withoute whiche no man nor chylde 
can be excellent. And thus whatsoeuer a chylde may be 
taught by Aptnesse, Desire, & Feare, the same thing in 
shootynge, maye a man be taughte by weake bowes, Shame- 
fastnesse and Loue. 

And hereby you may se that that is true whiche Cicero 
sayeth, that a man by vse, may be broughte to a newe nature. 



The schole of shoting, 99 

And this I dare be bould to saye, that any man whiche will 
wisely begynne, and constantlyc perseuer in this trade of 
learnyng to shote, shall attayne to perfe6lnesse therin. PHI. 
This communication l^oxophile, doeth please me verye well, 
and nowe I perceyue that moste generally & chefly youthe 
muste be taughte to shoote, and secondarilye no man is debarred 
therfrom excepte it be more thorough his owne negligence for 
bicause he wyll not learne, than any disabilitie, bicause he can 
not lerne. Therfore seyng I wyll be glad to folowe your 
cousell in chosynge my bowe and other instrumentes, and also 
am ashamed that I can shote no better tha I can, moreouer 
hauynge suche a loue toward shotynge by your good reasons 
to day, that I wyll forsake no labour in the exercise of the 
same, I beseche you imagyn that we had bothe bowe and 
shaftes here, and teache me how I should handle them, and 
one thynge I desyre you, make me as fayre an Archer as you 
can. 

For thys I am sure in learnynge all other matters, nothynge 
is broughte to the moost profytable vse, which is not handled 
after the moost cumlye fasio. As masters of fece haue no 
stroke fit ether to hit an other or els to defende hym selfe, 
whyche is not ioyned wyth a wonderfull cumlinesse. A 
Cooke ca not chop hys herbes neither quickelye nor hansomlye 
excepte he kepe suche a mesure wyth hys choppynge kniues as 
woulde delyte a manne bothe to se hym and heare hym. 

Euerye hand craft man that workes best for hys owne 
profyte, workes most semelye to other mens sight. Agayne 
in buyldynge a house, in makynge a shyppe, euery parte the 
more hansomely they be ioyned for profyt and laste, the more 
cumlye they be fashioned to euery mans syght and eye. 
Nature it selfe taught men to ioyne alwayes welfauourednesse 
w^ profytablenesse. As in man, that ioynt or pece which is by 
anye chaunce depriued of hys cumlynesse the same is also 
debarred of hys vse and profytablenesse. 

As he that is gogle eyde and lokes a squinte hath both hys 
countenaunce clene marred, and hys sight sore blemmyshed, 
and so in all other members lyke. Moreouer what tyme of 
the yeare bryngeth mooste profyte wyth it for mans vse, the 
same also couereth and dekketh bothe earthe and trees wyth 
moost culynesse for mans pleasure. And that tyme whych 



G 2 



I-cfC. 



I oo T'oxophilus. B. 

talcethe awaye the pleasure of the grounde, carieth w^ hym also 
the profyt of the grounde, as euery man by experience knoweth 
in harde and roughe winters. Some thynges there be whych 
haue no other ende, but onely cumlynesse, as payntyng, and 
Daunsing. And vertue it selfe is nothynge eles but cumly- 
nesse, as al Philosophers do agree in opinion, therfore seynge 
that whych is best done in anye matters, is alwayes moost 
cumlye done as both Plato and Cicero in manye places do 
proue, and daylye experience dothe teache in other thynges, I 
praye you as I sayde before teatche me to shoote as fayre, and 
welfauouredly as you can imagen. 

TOX. Trewlye Philologe as you proue verye well in 
other matters, the best shootynge, is alwayes the moost cumlye 
shootynge but thys you know as well as I that Crassus shewethe 
in Cicero that as cumlinesse is the chefe poynt, & most to be 
sought for in all thynges, so cumlynesse onlye, can neuer be 
taught by any Arte or craft. But may be perceyued well when 
it is done, not described wel how it should be done. 

Yet neuerthelesse to comme to it there be manye waye 
whych wayes men haue assayde in other matters, as yf a man 
would folowe in learnynge to shoote faire, the noble paynter 
Zeuxes in payntyng Helena, whyche to make his Image bewti- 
full dyd chose out .v. of the fayrest maydes in al the countrie 
aboute, and in beholdynge them conceyued & drewe out suche 
an Image that it far exceded al other, bycause the comelinesse 
of them al was broughte in to one moost perfyte comelinesse : 
So lykewyse in shotynge yf a man, woulde set before hys eyes 
.V. or .vi. of the fayrest Archers that euer he saw shoote, and of 
one learne to stande, of a nother to drawe, of an other to 
lowse, and so take of euery man, what euery man coulde do 
best, I dare saye he shoulde come to suche a comlynesse as 
neuer man came to yet. As for an example, if the moost 
comely poynte in shootynge that Hewe Prophete the Kynges 
seruaunte hath and as my frendes Thomas and Raufe Cantrell 
doth vse wt the moost semelye facyons that .iii. or iiii. 
excellent Archers haue beside, were al ioyned in one, I am sure 
all men woulde wonder at y^ excellencie of it. And this is one 
waye to learne to shoote fayre. PHI. This is very wel truly, 
but I praye you teache me somewhat of shootyng fayre youre 
selfe. TOX. I can teache you to shoote fayre, euen as 



The schole of shoting. loi 

Socrates taught a man ones to knowe God, for when he axed 
hym what was God : naye sayeth he I can tell you better what 
God is not, as God is not yll, God is vnspeakeable, vnsearche- 
able and so forth : Euen lykewyse can I saye of fayre shootyng, 
it hath not this discommodite with it nor that discommoditie, 
and at last a man maye so shifte all the discommodities from 
shootynge that there shall be left no thynge behynde but fayre 
shootynge. And to do this the better you must remember 
howe that I toulde you when I descrybed generally the hole 
nature of shootyng that fayre shotyng came of these thynges, of 
standynge, nockynge, drawynge, howldynge and lowsynge, the 
whych I wyll go ouer as shortly as I can, describynge the dis- 
commodities that men comonlye vse in all partes of theyr bodies, 
that you yi you faulte in any such maye knowe it & so go 
about to amend it. Faultes in Archers do excede the number 
of Archers, whyche come wyth vse of shootynge wythoute 
teachynge. Vse and custome separated from knowlege and 
learnynge, doth not onely hurt shootynge, but the moost 
weyghtye thynges in the worlde beside : And therfore I maruayle 
moche at those people whyche be the mayneteners of vses 
w'oute knowledge hauynge no other worde in theyr mouthe but 
thys vse, vse, custome, custome. Suche men more wylful than 
wyse, beside other discommo[di]ties, take all place and occasion 
from al amendmet. And thys I speake generally of vse and 
custome. 

Whych thynge yf a learned man had it in hande y' woulde 
applye it to any one matter, he myght handle it wonderfullye. 
But as for shootyng, vse is the onely cause of all fautes in it and 
therfore chylderne more easly and soner maye be taught to 
shote excellentlye then men, bycause chylderne may be taught 
to shoote well at the fyrste, men haue more payne to vnlearne 
theyr yll vses, than they haue laboure afterwarde to come to 
good shootynge. 

All the discommodities whiche ill custome hath graffed in 
archers, can neyther be quycklye poulled out, nor yet sone 
reckened of me, they be so manye. 

Some shooteth, his head forwarde as though he woulde byte 
the marke : an other stareth wyth hys eyes, as though they 
shulde flye out : An other winketh with one eye, and loketh 
with the other : Some make a face with writhing theyr mouthe 



1 02 'Toxophilus. B. 

and countenaunce so, as though they were doyng you wotte 
what : An other blereth out his tonge : An other byteth his 
lyppes : An other holdeth his necke a wrye. In drawyng some 
fet suche a compasse, as thoughe they woulde tourne about, and 
blysse all the feelde : Other heaue theyr hand nowe vp nowe 
downe, that a man can not decerne wherat they wolde shote, 
an other waggeth the vpper ende of his bow one way, the 
neyther ende an other waye. An other wil stand poyntinge 
his shafte at the marke a good whyle and by and by he wyll 
gyue hym a whip, and awaye or a man wite. An other maketh 
suche a wrestling with his gere, as thoughe he were able to 
shoote no more as longe as he lyued. An other draweth softly 
to ye middes, and by and by it is gon, you can not knowe 
howe. 

An other draweth his shafte lowe at the breaste, as thoughe 
he woulde shoote at a rouynge marke, and by and by he lifteth 
his arme vp pricke heyghte. An other maketh a wrynchinge 
with hys backe, as though a manne pynched hym behynde. 

An other coureth downe, and layeth out his buttockes, as 
though he shoulde shoote at crowes. 

An other setteth forwarde hys lefte legge, and draweth 
backe wyth head and showlders, as thoughe he pouled at a rope, 
or els were afrayed of y^ marke. An other draweth his shafte 
well, vntyll wythin .ii. fyngers of the head, and than he stayeth 
a lyttle, to looke at hys marke, and that done, pouleth it vp to 
the head, and lowseth : whych waye although sume excellent 
shooters do vse, yet surely it is a faulte, and good mennes faultes 
are not to be folowed. 

Summe men drawe to farre, summe to shorte, sume to 
slowlye, summe to quickely, summe holde ouer longe, summe 
lette go ouer sone. 

Summe sette theyr shafte on the grounde, and fetcheth him 
vpwarde. An other poynteth vp towarde the skye, and so 
bryngeth hym downewardes. 

Ones I sawe a manne whyche vsed a brasar on his cheke, 
or elles he had scratched all the skynne of the one syde, of his 
face, with his drawynge hand. 

An other I sawe, whiche at euerye shoote, after the loose, 
lyfted vp his ryght legge so far, that he was euer in ieoperdye 
of faulyng. 



T'he schole of shoting. 103 

Summe stampe forwarde, and summe leape backwarde. 
All these faultes be eyther in the drawynge, or at the loose : 
wt many other mo whiche you may easelye perceyue, and so go 
about to auoyde them. 

Nowe afterwarde whan the shafte is gone, men haue manye 
faultes, whyche euell Custome hath broughte them to, and 
specially in cryinge after the shafte, & speakynge woordes scarce 
honest for suche an honest pastyme. 

Suche woordes be verye tokens of an ill mynde, and 
manifeste signes of a man that is subiedte to inmesurable 
affections. Good mennes eares do abhor them, and an honest 
man therfore wyl auoyde them. And besydes those whiche 
muste nedes haue theyr tongue thus walkynge, other men vse 
other fautes as some will take theyr bowe and writhe & wrinche 
it, to poule in his shafte, when it flyeth wyde, as yf he draue 
a carte. Some wyl gyue two or .iii. strydes forwarde, daunsing 
and hoppynge after his shafte, as long as it flyeth, as though he 
were a mad man. Some which feare to be to farre gone, runne 
backewarde as it were to poule his shafte backe. Another 
runneth forwarde, whan he feareth to be short, heauynge after 
his armes, as though he woulde helpe his shafte to flye. An 
other writhes or runneth a syde, to poule in his shafte strayght. 
One lifteth vp his heele, and so holdeth his foote still, as longe 
as his shafte flyeth. An other casteth his arme backewarde 
after the lowse. And an other swynges hys bowe aboute hym, 
as it were a man with a stafi^e to make roume in a game place. 
And manye other faultes there be, whiche nowe come not to 
my remebraunce. Thus as you haue hearde, many archers 
wyth marrynge theyr face and countenaunce, wyth other 
partes, of theyr bodye, as it were menne that shoulde daunce 
antiques, be farre from the comelye porte in shootynge, whiche 
he that woulde be excellent muste looke for. 

Of these faultes I haue verie many my selfe, but I talke 
not of my shootynge, but of the generall nature of shootynge. 
Nowe ymagin an Archer that is cleane wythout al these 
faultes & I am sure euerye man would be delyted to se hym 
shoote. 

And althoughe suche a perfyte cumlynesse can not be 
expressed wyth any precepte of teachyng, as Cicero and other 
learned menne do saye, yet I wyll speake (accordyng to my 



1 04 'Toxophiliis. B. 

lytle knowlege) that thing in it, whych yi you folowe, althoughe 
you shall not be wythout fault, yet your fault shal neyther 
quickly be perceued, nor yet greatly rebuked of them that 
stande by. Standyng, nockyng, drawyng, holdyng, lowsyng, 
done as they shoulde be done, make fayre shootynge. 

The fyrste poynte is when a man shoulde shote, to take 
suche footyng and standyng as shal be both cumlye 

at!()nge. ^^ ^j^^ ^^^ ^^^ profy table to hys vse, settyng hys 

countenaunce and al the other partes of hys bodye after suche 
a behauiour and porte, that bothe al hys strengthe may be 
employed to hys owne moost auautage, and hys shoot made and 
handled to other mens pleasure and delyte. A man must not 
go to hastely to it, for that is rashnesse, nor yet make to 
much to do about it, for yt is curiositie, y^ one fote must not 
stande to far from the other, leste he stoupe to muche whyche is 
vnsemelye, nor yet to nere together, leste he stande to streyght 
vp, for so a man shall neyther vse hys strengthe well, nor yet 
stande stedfastlye. 

The meane betwyxt bothe must be kept, a thing more 
pleasaunte to behoulde when it is done, than easie to be taught 
howe it shoulde be done. 

To nocke well is the easiest poynte of all, and there in is 

no cunninge, but onelye dylygente hede gyuyng, 

oc ynge. ^^ ^^^ j^^^ shaft neyther to hye nor to lowe, but 

euen streyght ouertwharte hys bowe. Vnconstante nockynge 

maketh a man leese hys lengthe. 

And besydes that, yi the shafte hande be hye and the bowe 
hande lowe, or contrarie, bothe the bowe is in ieopardye of 
brekynge, and the shafte, yf it be lytle, wyll start : yf it be 
great it wyll hobble. Nocke the cocke father vpward alwayes 
as I toulde you whe I described the fether. And be sure 
alwayes y^ your stringe slip not out of the nocke, for than al is 
in ieopardye of breakynge. 

Drawynge well is the best parte of shootyng. Men in 

oulde tyme vsed other maner of drawynge than 

)a.oyngt. ^^ j^^ They vsed to drawe low at the brest, to 

the ryght pap and no farther, and this to be trew is playne 

Iliad. 4. in Homer, where he descrybeth Pandarus shootynge. 

{'^p to the pap his stringe dyd he pul^ his shafte to the hard heed. 



T'he schole of shoting. 105 

The noble women of Scythia vsed the same fashyon of 
shootyng low at the brest, and bicause their lefte pap hindred 
theyr shootynge at the lowse they cut it of when they were 
yonge, and therfore be they called in lackynge theyr pap 
Amazones. Nowe a dayes contrarye wyse we drawe to the 
ryghte eare and not to the pap. Whether the olde waye in 
drawynge low to the pap, or the new way to draw a loft 
to the eare be better, an excellente wryter in 
Greke called Procopius doth saye hys mynde, Hht^p'crs 
shewyng y^ the oulde fashyon in drawing to ye pap 
was nought, of no pithe, and therfore saith Procopius : is 
Artyllarye dispraysed in Homer whych calleth it ovrtSavov. I. 
Weake and able to do no good. Drawyng to the eare he 
prayseth greatly, whereby men shoote both stronger and 
longer: drawynge therfore to the eare is better than to drawe 
at the breste. And one thyng commeth into my remembraunce 
nowe Philologe when I speake of drawyng, that I neuer red of 
other kynde of shootyng, than drawing wyth a mas hand ether 
to the breste or eare: This thyng haue I sought for in Homer 
Herodotus and Plutarch, and therfore I meruayle how cros- 
bowes came fyrst vp, of the which I am sure a ^ , 

•^ O vosLwivcs 

man shall finde lytle mention made on in any 
good Authour. Leo the Emperoure woulde haue hys souldyers 
drawe quycklye in warre, for that maketh a shaft flie a pace. 
In shootynge at the pryckes, hasty and quicke drawing is 
neyther sure nor yet cumlye. Therfore to drawe easely and 
vniformely, that is for to saye not waggyng your hand, now 
vpwarde, now downewarde, but alwayes after one fashion vntil 
you come to the rig or shouldring of y^ head, is best both for 
profit & semelinesse. Holdynge must not be longe, 
for it bothe putteth a bowe in ieopardy, & also 
marreth a mans shoote, it must be so lytle y*^ it maye be 
perceyued better in a mans mynde when it is done, than scene 
w' a mans eyes when it is in doyng. 

Lowsynge muste be muche lyke. So quycke and hard yt 
it be wyth oute all ffirdes, so softe and gentle that 

1 1 r n ° . ' ,-1 Lowsyns^t'. 

the sharte tlye not as it were sente out or a bow 
case. The meane betwixt bothe, whyche is perfyte lowsynge 
is not so hard to be folowed in shootynge as it is to be 
descrybed in teachyng. For cleane lowsynge you must take 



1 06 'Toxop/iilus. B. 

hede of hyttynge any thynge aboute you. And for the same 
purpose Leo the Emperour would haue al Archers 
in war to haue both theyr heades pouled, and 
there berdes shauen leste the heare of theyr heades shuld stop 
the syght of the eye, the heere of theyr berdes hinder the 
course of the strynge. 

And these preceptes I am sure Philologe yf you folowe in 
standyng, nockyng, drawynge, holdynge, and lowsynge, shal 
bryng you at the last to excellent fayre shootynge. PHI. All 
these thynges Toxophile althoughe I bothe nowe perceyue them 
thorowlye, and also wyll remember them dilligently : yet to 
morowe or some other day whe you haue leasure we wyll go to 
the pryckes, and put them by lytle and lytle in experience. 
For teachynge not folowed, doeth euen as muche good as 
bookes neuer looked vpon. But nowe seing you haue taught 
me to shote fayre, I praye you tel me somwhat, how I should 
shoote nere leste that prouerbe myght be sayd iustlye of me 
sometyme. He shootes lyke a gentle man fayre & far of. 
TOX. He that can shoote fayre, lacketh nothyng but 
shootyng streyght and kepyng of a length wherof commeth 
hyttynge of the marke, the ende both of shootyng and also of 
thys our communication. The handlyng of y^ wether & the 
mark bicause they belog to shootyng streyghte, and kepynge 
of a lengthe, I wyll ioyne them togyther, shewinge what thinges 
belonge to kepynge of a lengthe, and what to shootynge streyght. 
The <z;reatest enemy of shootyng is the wynde and the 
wether, wherby true kepyng a lengthe is chefely 
J'^?f^ rtw^/ hindered. If this thing were not, men by teaching 
might be brought to wonderful neare shootynge. 
It is no maruayle if the litle poore shafte being sent alone, so 
high in to the ayer, into a great rage of wether, one wynde 
tossinge it that waye, an other thys waye, it is no maruayle 
I saye, thoughe it leese the lengthe, and misse that place, where 
the shooter had thought to haue founde it. Greter matters 
than shotynge are vnder the rule and wyll of the wether, as 
saylynge on the sea. And lykewise as in sayling, the chefe 
poynt of a good master, is to knowe the tokens of chaunge of 
wether, the course of the wyndes, that therby he maye the 
better come to the Hauen : euen so the best propertie of a good 
shooter, is to knowe the nature of the wyndes, with hym and 



T'he schole of shoting. 1 07 

agaynste hym, that thereby he maye the nerer shote at hys 
marke. Wyse maysters whan they canne not winne the beste 
hauen, they are gladde of the nexte : Good shooters also, yt can 
not whan they would hit the marke, wil labour to come as nigh 
as they can. All thinges in this worlde be vnperfite and 
vnconstant, therfore let euery man acknowlege hys owne 
weakenesse, in all matters great and smal, weyghtye and merye, 
and glorifie him, in whome only perfyte perfitnesse is. But 
nowe, sir, he that wyll at all aduentures vse the seas knowinge 
no more what is to be done in a tempest than in a caulme, 
shall soone becumme a marchaunt of Eele skinnes : so that 
shoter whiche putteth no difference, but shooteth in all lyke, 
in rough wether and fayre, shall alwayes put his wynninges in 
his eyes. 

Lytle botes and thinne boordes, can not endure the rage of 
a tempest. Weake bowes, & lyght shaftes can not stande in a 
rough wynde. And lykewyse as a blynde man which shoulde 
go to a place where he had neuer ben afore, that hath but one 
strayghte waye to it, and of eyther syde hooles and pyttes to 
faule into, nowe falleth in to this hole and than into that hole, 
and neuer cometh to his iourney ende, but wandereth alwaies 
here and there, farther and farther of: So that archer which 
ignorauntly shoteth considering neyther fayer nor foule, 
standynge nor nockynge, fether nor head, drawynge nor lows- 
yng, nor yet any compace, shall alwayes shote shorte and gone, 
wyde and farre of, and neuer cumme nere, excepte perchaunce 
he stumble sumtyme on the marke. For ignoraunce is 
nothynge elles but mere blyndenesse. 

A mayster of a shippe first learneth to knowe the cummyng 
of a tempest, the nature of it, and howe to behaue hym selfe 
in it, eyther with chaungynge his course, or poullynge downe 
his hye toppes and brode sayles, beyng glad to eschue as muche 
of the wether as he can : Euen so a good archer wyl fyrste 
wyth diligent vse and markynge the wether, learne to knowe 
the nature of the wynde, and with wysedome, wyll measure in 
hys mynde, howe muche it wyll alter his shoote, eyther in 
lengthe kepynge, or els in streyght shotynge, and so with 
chaunging his standynge, or takynge an other shafte, the 
whiche he knoweth perfytlye to be fitter for his pourpose, eyther 
bycause it is lower fethered, or els bycause it is of a better 



io8 Toxophiius. B. 

wyng, wyll so handle w^ discretion hys shoote, that he shall 
seeme rather to haue the wether vnder hys rule, by good hede 
gyuynge, than the wether to rule hys shafte by any sodayne 
chaungyng. 

Therefore in shootynge there is as muche difference betwixt 
an archer that is a good wether man, and an other that knoweth 
and marketh nothynge, as is betwixte a blynde man, and he 
that can se. 

Thus, as concernynge the wether, a perfyte archer muste 
firste learne to knowe the sure flyghte of his shaftes, that he may 
be boulde alwayes, to trust them, than muste he learne by 
daylye experience all maner of kyndes of wether, the tokens of 
it, whan it wyl cumme, the nature of it whan it is cume, 
the diuersitie and alteryng of it, whan it chaungeth, the 
decrease & diminishing of it, wha it ceaseth. Thirdly these 
thinges knowen, and euery shoote diligentlye marked, than 
must a man copare alwayes, the wether and his footyng 
togyther, and with discretion measure them so, that what so 
euer the roughe wether shall take awaye from hys shoote the 
same shal iviste footyngc restore agayne to hys shoote. 

Thys thynge well knowen, and discretelye handeled in 
shootynge, bryngeth more profite and commendation and prayse 
to an Archer, than any other thynge besydes. 

He that woulde knowe perfectly the winde and wether, 
muste put differences betwixte tymes. For diuersitie of tyme 
causeth diuersitie of wether, as in the whole yeare, Sprynge 
tyme, Somer, Faule of the leafe, and Winter : Lykewyse in one 
day Mornynge, Noonetyme, Afternoone, and Euentyde, bothe 
alter the wether, and chaunge a manes bowe wyth the 
strength of man also. And to knowe that this is so, is ynough for 
a shoter & artillerie, and not to serche the cause, why it shoulde 
be so : whiche belongeth to a learned man and Philosophic. 

In consydering the tyme of the yeare, a wyse Archer wyll 
folowe a good Shipman. In Winter & rough wether, smal 
bootes and lytle pinkes forsake the seas: And at one tyme of 
the yeare, no Gallies come abrode ; So lykewyse weake Archers, 
vsyng small and holowe shaftes, with bowes of litle pith, muste 
be content to gyue place for a tyme. 

And this I do not saye, eyther to discomende or discourage 
any weake shooter : For lykewyse, as there is no shippe better 



T'he schole of shoting. 109 

than GalHes be, in a softe and a caulme sea, so no man shooteth 
cumlier or nerer hys marke, than some weake archers doo, in a 
fayre and cleare daye. 

Thus euery archer must knowe, not onelye what bowe and 
shafte is fittest for him to shoote withall, but also what tyme & 
season is best for hym to shote in. And surely, in al other 
matters to, amonge al degrees of men, there is no man which 
doth any thing eyther more discretely for his commendation, or 
yet more profitable for his aduauntage, than he which wyll 
knowe perfitly for what matter and for what tyme he is moost 
apte and fit. Yf men woulde go aboute matters whych they 
should do and be fit for, & not suche thynges whyche wylfullye 
they desyre & yet be vnfit for, verely greater matters in the 
comon welthe than shootyng shoulde be in better case than they 
be. This ignorauncie in men whyche know not for what 
tyme, and to what thynge they be fit, causeth some wyshe to 
be riche, for whome it were better a greate deale to be poore : 
other to be medlynge in euery mans matter, for whome it were 
more honestie to be quiete and styll. Some to desire to be in 
the Courte, whiche be borne and be fitter rather for the carte. 
Somme to be maysters and rule other, whiche neuer yet began to 
rule them selfe: some alwayes to iangle and taulke, whych 
rather shoulde heare and kepe silece. Some to teache, which 
rather should learne. Some to be prestes, whiche were fytter 
to be clerkes. And thys peruerse iudgement of y^ worlde, 
when men mesure them selfe a misse, bringeth muche mysorder 
and greate vnsemelynesse to the hole body of the common 
wealth, as yf a manne should were his hoose vpon his head, or 
a woman go wyth a sworde and a buckeler euery man would 
take it as a greate vncumlynesse although it be but a tryfle in 
respedle of the other. 

Thys peruerse iudgement of men hindreth no thynge so 
much as learnynge, bycause commonlye those whych be 
vnfittest for learnyng, be cheyfly set to learnynge. 

As yf a man nowe a dayes haue two sonnes, the one 
impotent, weke, sickly, lispynge, stuttynge, and stamerynge, or 
hauynge any misshape in hys bodye: what doth the father of 
suche one commonlye saye? This boye is fit for nothynge els, 
but to set to lernyng and make a prest of, as who would say, ye 
outcastes of the worlde, hauyng neyther countenauce tounge 



1 1 o Toxophilus. B. 

nor wit (for of a peruerse bodye cumeth commonly a peruerse 
mynde) be good ynough to make those men of, whiche shall be 
appoynted to preache Goddes holye woorde, and minister hys 
blessed sacramentes, besydes other moost weyghtye matters in 
the common welthe put ofte tymes, and worthelye to learned 
mennes discretion and charge : whan rather suche an offyce so 
hygh in dignitie, so godlye in administration, shulde be com- 
mitted to no man, whiche shulde not haue a countenaunce full 
of cumlynesse to allure good menne, a bodye ful of manlye 
authoritie to feare ill men, a witte apte for al learnynge with 
tongue and voyce, able to perswade all men. And although 
fewe suche men as these can be founde in a common wealthe, 
yet surely a godly disposed man, will bothe in his mynde 
thyncke fit, and with al his studie labour to get such men as 
I speke of, or rather better, if better can be gotten for suche an 
hie administration, whiche is most properlye appoynted to goddes 
owne matters and businesses. 

This peruerse iugement of fathers as concernynge the 
fitnesse and vnfitnesse of theyr chyldren causeth the comon 
wealthe haue many vnfit ministers: And seyng that ministers 
be, as a man woulde say, instrumentes wherw' the comon 
wealthe doeth worke all her matters w^all, I maruayle howe it 
chauceth yt a pore shomaker hath so much wit, y' he will pre- 
pare no instrument for his science neither knyfe nor aule, nor 
nothing els whiche is not very fitte for him : the comon wealthe 
can be content to take at a fonde fathers hande, the rifraffe of 
the worlde, to make those instrumentes of, wherw^al she 
shoulde worke y^ hiest matters vnder heauen. And surely an 
aule of lead is not so vnprofitable in a shomakers shop, as an 
vnfit minister, made of grosse metal, is vnsemely in y^ como 
welth. Fathers in olde time among y^ noble Persians might 
not do w^ theyr childre as they thought good, but as the 
iudgement of the comon wealth al wayes thought best. This 
fault of fathers bringeth many a blot w' it, to the great 
deformitie of the common wealthe: & here surely I can prayse 
gentlewomen which haue al wayes at hande theyr glasses, to se 
if any thinge be amisse, & so will amende it, yet the comon 
wealth hauing ye glasse of knowlege in euery mans hand, doth 
se such vncumlines in it : & yet winketh at it. This faulte & 
many suche lyke, myght be sone wyped awaye, y( fathers 



'^he schole of shoting. 1 1 1 

woulde bestow their children on yt thing alwayes, whervnto 
nature hath ordeined them moste apte h. fit. For if youth be 
grafted streyght, & not awrye, the hole comon welth wil 
florish therafter. Whan this is done, than muste euery man 
begin ne to be more ready to amende hym selfe, than to checke 
an other, measuryng their matters with that wise prouerbe of 
Apollo, Knowe thy selfe : that is to saye, learne to knowe what 
thou arte able, fitte, and apte vnto, and folowe that. 

This thinge shulde be bothe cumlie to the common wealthe, 
and moost profitable for euery one, as doth appere very well in 
all wise mennes deades, & specially to turne to our communica- 
tion agayne in shootynge, where wise archers haue alwayes 
theyr instrumentes fit for theyr strength, & wayte euermore 
suche tyme and wether, as is most agreable to their gere. 
Therfore if the wether be to sore, and vnfit for your shootynge, 
leaue of for that daye, and wayte a better season. For he is 
a foole yt wyl not go, whome necessitie driueth. PHI. This 
comunication of yours pleased me so well Toxophile, that 
surelye 1 was not hastie to calle you, to descrybe forthe the 
wether but with all my harte woulde haue sufi-ered you yet to 
haue stande longer in this matter. For these thinges touched 
of you by chaunse, and by the waye, be farre aboue the matter 
it selfe, by whose occasion y^ other were broughte in. 
TOX. Weyghtye matters they be in dede, and fit bothe in an 
other place to be spoken : & of an other man than I am, to be 
handled. And bycause meane men must meddle wyth meane 
matters, I wyl go forwarde in descrybyng the wether, as con- 
cernynge shooting: and as I toulde you before. In the hole 
yere, Spring tyme, Somer, Fal of the leafe, and Winter: and in 
one day. Morning, Noone tyme. After noone, and Euentyde, 
altereth the course of the wether, the pith of the bowe, the 
strength of the man. And in euery one of these times the 
wether altereth, as sumtyme wyndie, sumtyme caulme, sum- 
tyme cloudie, sumtyme clere, sumtyme bote, sumtyme coulde, 
the wynde sumtyme moistye and thicke, sumtyme drye and 
smothe. A litle winde in a moystie day, stoppeth a shafte more 
than a good whiskynge wynde in a clere daye. Yea, and 
I haue sene whan there hath bene no winde at all, the ayer so 
mistie and thicke, that both the markes haue ben wonderfull 
great. And ones, whan the Plage was in Cambrige, the downe 



1 1 2 'Toxophilus. B. 

winde twelue score marke for the space of .iii. weekes, was 
.xiii. score, and an halfe, and into the wynde, beynge not very 
great, a great deale aboue .xiiii. score. 

The winde is sumtyme playne vp and downe, whiche is 
commonly moste certayne, and requireth least knowlege, 
wherin a meane shoter with meane geare, if he can shoote 
home, maye make best shifte. A syde wynde tryeth an archer 
and good gere verye muche. Sumtyme it bloweth a lofte, 
sumtyme hard by the grounde : Sumtyme it bloweth by blastes, 
& sumtyme it continueth al in one : Sumtyme ful side wynde, 
sumtyme quarter with hym and more, and lykewyse agaynst 
hym, as a man with castynge vp lyght grasse, or els if he take 
good hede, shall sensibly learne by experience. To se the 
wynde, with a man his eyes, it is vnpossible, the nature of it is 
so fyne, and subtile, yet this experience of the wynde had 
I ones my selfe, and that was in the great snowe that fell .iiii. 
yeares agoo: I rode in the hye waye betwixt TopclifFe vpon 
Swale, and Borowe bridge, the waye beyng sumwhat trodden 
afore, by waye fayrynge men. The feeldes on bothe sides were 
playne and laye almost yearde depe with snowe, the nyght 
afore had ben a litle froste, so y'^ the snowe was hard and 
crusted aboue. That morning the sun shone bright and clere, 
the winde was whistelinge a lofte, and sharpe accordynge to the 
tyme of the yeare. The snowe in the hye waye laye lowse 
and troden wyth horse feete : so as the wynde blewe, it toke 
the lowse snow with it, and made it so slide vpon the snowe in 
the felde whyche was harde and crusted by reason of the frost 
ouer nyght, that therby I myght se verye wel, the hole nature 
of the wynde as it blewe y' daye. And I had a great delyte & 
pleasure to marke it, whyche maketh me now far better to 
remember it. Sometyme the wynd would be not past .ii. 
yeardes brode, and so it would carie the snowe as far as I could 
se. An other tyme the snow woulde blowe ouer halfe the 
felde at ones. Sometyme the snowe woulde tomble softly, by 
and by it would flye wonderfull fast. And thys I perceyued 
also that y^ wind goeth by streames & not hole togither. For 
I should se one streame wyth in a Score on me, tha the space 
of .ii. score no snow would stirre, but after so muche quatitie 
of grounde, an other streame of snow at the same very tyme 
should be caryed lykewyse, but not equally. For the one 



I'he schole of shoting. 1 1 3 

would stande styll when the other flew a pace, and so contynewe 
somtyme swiftlyer sometime slowlyer, sometime broder, some- 
time narrower, as far as I coulde se. Nor it flewe not streight, 
but sometyme it crooked thys waye sometyme that waye, and 
somtyme it ran round aboute in a compase. And somtyme 
the snowe wold be lyft clene from the ground vp in to the ayre, 
and by & by it would be al clapt to the grounde as though there 
had bene no winde at ail, streightway it woulde rise and flye 
agayne. 

And that whych was the moost meruayle of al, at one tyme 
.ii. driftes of snowe flewe, the one out of the West into y^ 
East, the other out of the North in to y^ East: And I saw .ii. 
windes by reaso of y^ snow the one crosse ouer the other, as it 
had bene two hye wayes. And agayne I shoulde here the 
wynd blow in the ayre, when nothing was stirred at the groud. 
And when all was still where I rode, not verye far fro me the 
snow should be lifted wonderfully. This experiece made me 
more meruaile at ye nature of the wynde, than it made me 
conning in ye knowlege of y^ wynd : but yet therby I learned 
perfitly that it is no meruayle at al thoughe men in a wynde 
lease theyr length in shooting, seying so many wayes the wynde 
is so variable in blowynge. 

But seynge that a Mayster of a shyp, be he neuer so 
cunnynge, by the vncertayntye of the wynde, leeseth many 
tymes both lyfe and goodes, surelye it is no wonder, though 
a ryght good Archer, by the self same wynde so variable in hys 
owne nature, so vnsensyble to oure nature, leese manye a shoote 
and game. 

The more vncertaine and disceyuable the wynd is, the more 
hede must a wyse Archer gyue to know the gyles of it. 

He yt doth mistrust is seldome begiled. For although 
therby he shall not attayne to that which is best, yet by these 
meanes he shall at leaste auoyde y^ whyche is worst. Besyde al 
these kindes of windes you must take hede yf you se anye 
cloude apere and gather by lytle and litle agaj'nst you, or els yf 
a showre of raine be lyke to come vpon you : for than both the 
dryuing of the wether and the thyckynge of the ayre increaseth 
the marke, when after y- showre al thynges are contrary clere 
and caulme, h the marke for the most parte new to begyn 
agayne. You must take hede also yf euer you shote where one 



114 'Toxophilus. B. 

of the markes or both stondes a lytle short of a hye wall, for 
there you may be easlye begyled. Yf you take grasse and 
caste it vp to se howe the wynde standes, manye tymes you 
shal suppose to shoote downe the wynde, when you shote cleane 
agaynste the wynde. And a good reaso why. For the wynd 
whych commeth in dede against you, redoundeth bake agayne 
at the wal, and whyrleth backe to the prycke and a lytle farther 
and than turneth agayne, euen as a vehement water doeth 
agaynste a rocke or an hye braye, whyche example of water as 
it is more sensible to a mils eyes, so it is neuer a whyt the 
trewer than this of the wynde. So that the grasse caste vp 
shall flee that waye whyche in dede is the longer marke and 
disceyue quycklye a shooter that is not ware of it. 

This experience had I ones my selfe at Norwytch in the 
chapel felde wythin the wauUes. And thys waye I vsed in 
shootynge at those markes. 

When I was in the myd way betwixt the markes whyche 
was an open place, there I toke a fether or a lytle lyght grasse 
and so as well as I coulde, learned how the wynd stoode, that 
done I wente to the prycke as faste as I coulde, and according 
as I had foude y^ wynde when I was in the mid waye, so I was 
fayne than to be content to make the best of my shoote that I 
coulde. Euen suche an other experiece had I in a maner at 
Yorke, at the prickes, lying betwixte the castell and Ouse syde. 
And although you smile Philologe, to heare me tell myne owne 
fondenes : yet seing you wil nedes haue me teach you somwhat 
in shotyng, I must nedes somtyme tel you of myne owne 
experience. Si the better I may do so, bycause Hippocrates in 
teachynge physike, vseth verye muche the same 
Hippo. De wave. Take heede also when you shoote nere 
the sea cost, although you be .ii. or .iii. miles from 
the sea, for there diligent markinge shall espie in the moste 
clere daye wonderfull chaunginge. The same is to be cosidered 
lykewyse by a riuer side speciallie if it ebbe & flowe, where he 
yt taketh diligent hede of y^ tide & wether, shal lightly take 
away al y' he shooteth for. And thus of y^ nature of windes 
& wether according to my marking you haue hearde Philologe : 
& hereafter you shal marke farre mo your selfe, if you take hede. 
And the wether thus marked as I tolde you afore, you muste 
take hede, of youre stading, y^ therby you may win as much 



The schole of shoting. 115 

as you shal loose by the wether. PHI. I se well it is no 
maruell though a man misse many tymes in shootyng, seing y^ 
wether is so vnconstant in blowing, but yet there is one thing 
whiche many archers vse, y' shall cause a man haue lesse nede 
to marke the wether, & that is Ame gyuing. TOX. Of 
gyuyng Ame, I can not tel wel, what I shuld say. For in 
a straunge place it taketh away al occasion of fovile game, which 
is yc only prayse of it, yet by my iudgemet, it hidreth y^ 
knowlege of shotyng, & maketh men more negligente : y^ which 
is a disprayse. Though Ame be giue, yet take hede, for at an 
other mas shote you can not wel take Ame, nor at your owne 
neither, bycause the wether wil alter, euen in a minute, & at 
the one marke & not at the other, & trouble your shafte in the 
ayer, when you shal perceyue no wynde at the ground, as I my 
selfe haue sene shaftcs tumble a lofte, in a very fayer daye. 
There may be a fault also, in drawing or lowsynge, and many 
thynges mo, whiche all togyther, are required to kepe a iust 
length. But to go forward the nexte poynte after the markyng 
of your wether, is the takyng of your standyng. And in a side 
winde you must stand sumwhat crosse in to the wynde, for so 
shall you shoote the surer. Whan you haue taken good footing, 
than must you looke at your shafte, y' no earthe, nor weete be 
lefte vpon it, for so should it leese the lengthe. You must loke 
at the head also, lest it haue had any strype, at the last shoote. 
A stripe vpon a stone, many tymes will bothe marre the head, 
croke the shafte, and hurte the fether, wherof the lest of them 
all, wyll cause a man lease his lengthe. For suche thinges 
which chaunce euery shoote, many archers vse to haue sume 
place made in theyr cote, fitte for a lytle fyle, a stone, a Hun- 
fyshskin, and a cloth to dresse the shaft fit agayne at all nedes. 
Thys must a man looke to euer when he taketh vp his shaft. 
And the heade maye be made to smothe, which wil cause it flye 
to far : when youre shafte is fit, than must you take your bow 
euen in the middes or elles you shall both lease your lengthe, 
and put youre bowe in ieopardye of breakynge. Nockynge 
iuste is next, which is muche of the same nature. Than drawe 
equallye, lowse equallye, wyth houldynge your hande euer of 
one heighte to kepe trew compasse. To looke at your shafte 
hede at the lowse, is the greatest helpe to kepe a lengthe that 
can be, whych thyng yet hindreth excellent shotyng, bicause 

H 2 



1 1 6 T'oxophilus. B. 

a man can not shote streight perfitlye excepte he looke at his 
marlce : yf I should shoote at a hne and not at the marke, I 
woLilde alwayes loke at my shaft ende, but of thys thyng some 
what afterwarde. Nowe if you marke the wether diligentlye, 
kepe your standynge iustely, houlde and nocke trewlye, drawe 
and lowse equallye, and kepe youre compace certaynelye, you 
shall neuer misse of your lengthe. PHI. Then there is nothyng 
behinde to make me hit y^ marke but onely shooting streight. 
TOX. No trewlye. And fyrste I wyll tel you what shyftes 
Archers haue founde to shoote streyght, tha what is the best 
waye to shoote streyght. As the wether belongeth specially to 
kepe a lengthe (yet a side winde belongeth also to shote streight) 
euen so the nature of the pricke is to shote streight. The 
lengthe or shortnesse of the marke is alwayes vnder the rule of 
the wether, yet sumwhat there is in ye marke, worthye to be 
marked of an Archer. Yf the prickes stand of a streyght playne 
groud they be y^ best to shote at. Yf ye marke stad on a hyl 
syde or y^ groud be vnequal w^ pittes & turninge wayes be- 
twyxte the markes, a mans eye shall thynke that to be streight 
whyche is croked : The experience of this thing is sene in 
payntynge, the cause of it is knowen by learnynge. 

And it is ynoughe for an archer to marke it and take hede 
of it. The cheife cause why men can not shoote streight, is 
bicause they loke at theyr shaft: and this fault commeth bycause 
a ma is not taught to shote when he is yong. Yf he learne to 
shoote by himselfe he is a frayde to pull the shafte throughe the 
bowe, and therfore looketh alwayes at hys shafte : yll vse con- 
firmeth thys faulte as it doth many mo. 

And men continewe the longer in thys faulte bycause it is 
so good to kepe a lengthe wyth al, and yet to shote streight, 
they haue inueted some waies, to espie a tree or a hill beyonde 
the marke, or elles to haue sume notable thing betwixt ye 
markes : & ones I sawe a good archer whiche did caste of his 
gere, & layd his quiuer w' it, euen in the midway betwixt y^ 
prickes. Sume thought he dyd so, for sauegarde of his gere : 
I suppose he did it, to shoote streyght w'all. Other men vse to 
espie sume marke almoost a bow wide of y^ pricke, and than go 
abovit to kepe him selfe on y' hande that the prycke is on, which 
thing howe muche good it doth, a man wil not beleue, that doth 
not proue it. Other & those very good archers in drawyng, 



The schole of shoting. 1 1 7 

loke at the marke vntill they come almost to y^^' head, than they 
looke at theyr shafte, but at y'= very lowse, w^ a seconde sight 
they fynde theyr marke agayne. This way & al other afore of 
me rehersed are but shiftes & not to be folowed in shotyng 
streyght. For hauyng a mans eye alwaye on his marke, is the 
only waye to shote streght, yea & I suppose so redye & easy 
a way y^ it be learned in youth & confirmed w^ vse, y^ a man 
shall neuer misse therin. Men doubt yet 1 loklg at y^ mark 
what way is best whether betwixt the bowe & the stringe, aboue 
or beneth hys hand, & many wayes moo : yet it maketh no 
great matter which way a man looke at his marke yf it be 
ioyned wt^ comly shotynge. The diuersite of mens standyng 
and drawing causeth diuerse me loke at theyr marke diuerse 
wayes: yet they al lede a m.is hand to shoote straight yf nothyng 
els stoppe. So that cumlynesse is the only iudge of best lokyng 
at the marke. Some men wonder why in casting a mans eye 
at y^ marke, the hande should go streyght. Surely yi he con- 
sydered the nature of a mans eye, he wolde not wonder at it : 
For this I am certayne of, that no seruaunt to hys mayster, no 
chylde to hys father is so obedient, as euerye ioynte and pece of 
the body is to do what soeuer the eye biddes. The eye is the 
guide, the ruler & the succourer of al the other partes. The 
hade, the foote & other members dare do nothynge w^out the 
eye, as doth appere on the night and darke corners. The eye 
is the very tonge wherw"- wyt & reaso doth speke to euery parte 
of the body, & the wyt doth not so sone signifye a thynge by 
the eye, as euery part is redye to folow, or rather preuent the 
byddyng of the eye. Thys is playne in many thinges, but 
most euident in fence and feyghtynge, as I haue heard men 
saye. There euery part standynge in feare to haue a blowe, 
runnes to the eye for helpe, as yonge chyldre do to y'-' mother: 
the foote, the hand, & al wayteth vpo the eye. Yf the eye 
byd y"^ had either beare of, or smite, or the foote ether go 
forward, or backeward, it doth so : And that whyche is moost 
wonder of all the one man lookynge stedfastly at the other mans 
eye and not at his hand, wyl, eue as it were, rede in his eye 
where he purposeth to smyte nexte, for the eye is nothyng els 
but a certayne wyndowe for wit to shote oute hir hede at. 

Thys wonderfull worke of god in makynge all the members 
so obedient to the eye, is a pleasaunte thynge to remember and 



1 1 8 Toxophilus. B. 

Joke vpon : therfore an Archer maye be sure in learnyng to 
loolce at hys marke when he is yong, alwayes to shoote streyghte. 
The thynges that hynder a man whyche looketh at hys marke, 
to shote streyght, be these : A syde wynde, a bowe either to 
stronge, or els to weake, an ill arme, whan a fether runneth on 
the bowe to much, a byg brested shafte, for hym that shoteth 
vnder hande, bycause it wyll hobble : a little brested shafte for 
hym yt shoteth aboue y^ hande, bicause it wyl starte : a payre 
of windynge prickes, and many other thinges mo, which you 
shal marke your selfe, & as ye knowe the, so learne to amend 
them. If a man woulde leaue to looke at his shafte, and learne 
to loke at his marke, he maye vse this waye, whiche a good 
shooter tolde me ones that he did. Let him take his bowe on 
the nyght, and shoote at .ii. lightes, and there he shall be 
compelled to looke alwayes at his marke, & neuer at his 
shafte : This thing ones or twyse vsed wyl cause hym forsake 
lokynge at hys shafte. Yet let hym take hede of settynge his 
shaft in the bowe. 

Thus Philologe to shoote streyght is the leaste maysterie of 
all, yf a manne order hym selfe thereafter, in hys youthe. And 
as for keypynge a lengthe, I am sure the rules whiche I gaue 
you, wil neuer disceyue you, so that there shal lacke nothynge, 
eyther of hittinge the marke alwayes, or elles verye nere 
shotynge, excepte the faulte be onely in youre owne selfe, 
whiche maye come .ii. wayes, eyther in hauing a faynt harte or 
courage, or elles in sufFerynge your selfe ouer muche to be led 
with afFecSlion : yf a mans mynde fayle hym, the bodye whiche 
is ruled by the mynde, can neuer doe his duetie, yf lacke of 
courage were not, men myght do mo mastries than they do, as 
doeth appere in leapynge and vaultinge. 

All affections and specially anger, hurteth bothe mynde and 
bodye. The mynde is blynde therby : and yf the mynde be 
blynde, it can not rule the bodye aright. The body both blood 
and bone, as they say, is brought out of his ryght course by 
anger: Wherby a man lacketh his right strengthe, and therfore 
can not shoote wel. Yf these thynges be auoyded (wherof I 
wyll speake no more, both bycause they belong not properly to 
shoting, & also you can teache me better, in them, than I you) 
& al the preceptes which I haue gyuen you, diligently marked, 
no doubt ye shal shoote as well as euer man dyd yet, by the 



T'he schole of shoting. 1 1 9 

grace of God. Thys communication handled of me Philologe, 
as I knowe wel not perfytly, yet as I suppose truelye you must 
take in good worthe, wherin if diuers thinges do not all togyther 
please you, thanke youre selfe, whiche woulde haue me rather 
faulte in mere follye, to take that thynge in hande whyche I 
was not able for to perfourme, than by any honeste shamefastnes 
withsay your request & minde, which I knowe well I haue not 
satisfied. But yet I wyl thinlce this labour of mine the better 
bestowed, if to morow or some other daye when you haue 
leysour, you wyl spende as much tyme with me here in this 
same place, in entreatinge the question De origlne anirn^^ and 
the ioynyng of it with the bodye, that I maye knowe howe far 
Plato, Aristotle, & the Stoiicians haue waded in it. 

PHI. How you haue handeled this matter Toxoph. I may 
not well tel you my selfe nowe, but for your gentlenesse and 
good wyll towarde learnyng h shotyng, I wyll be content to 
shewe you any pleasure whensoeuer you wyll : and nowe the 
sunne is doune therfore if it plese you, we wil go home and 
drynke in my chambre, and there I wyll tell you playnelye 
what I thinke of this comunication and also, what daye we will 
appoynt at your request for the other matter, to mete here 
agayne. 

Deo g rati as. 

^LONDINI. ^ 

In cedihus Edouardi VVhytchiirch. 



Cum priuilegio ad impri- 
mendum solum. 



1545- 



^A REPORT 

and Discourse written by 

Roger Ascham, of the affaires 

and state of Germany and the 

Emperour Charles his court, 

duryng certaine yeares 

while the sayd Roger 

was there. 



AT LONDON. 

^ Printed by lohn Daye, 

dwelling ouer Aldersgate. 



% Cum Gratia ^ Priuilegio Regia 
Maiestatis^ per DecenninrtJ. 



p^ yo/in Astely to R. Ascham, 



I Now finde true by experience, which I haue oft heard of 
others, & sometymes read my selfe : that me make no such 
accompt of commodities when they haue the, as when they 
want the. I meane this by our frendly fellowshyp together at 
Cheston Chehey^ and here at Hatfield her graces house : our 
pleasant studies in readyng together Arhtotles Rethorike, Cicero^ 
and L'lu'ie : our free talke mingled alwayes with honest mirth : 
our trimme coferences of that present world : and to true 
iudgementes of the troublesome tyme that followed. 

These commodities I now remeber with some grief, which 
we then vsed with much pleasure, besides many other fruites of 
frendshyp that faythfull good will could afFourd. And these 
thinckynges cause me oft to wish, either you to be here with 
vs, or me to be there with you : but what wishyng is nothyng 
els but a vayne waylyng for that which will wanteth, I wil 
cease from wishyng, and seeke the true remedy for this sore. 
And that is whilest we mete agayne in deede, in the meane- 
while to ease our desires with oft writyng the one to the other : 
I would in deede I had bene partaker in your company, of that 
your pleasaunt absence out of your countrey : And because I 
was not, I pray you let me be partaker by your letters of some 
fruite of that your iourney. 

We heare of great sturres in those parties : and how the 
Emperour a Prince of great wisedome and great power hath 
bene driuen to extreme shiftes, and that by the pollicie of mean 
men who were thought to be hys frendes, and not by the 
puisantnes of others who were knowne to be his open enemyes. I 



124 ^ Letter. 

know your wont in marlcyng diligently and notyng truely all such 
great affaires : And you know lykewise how desirous I am alwayes 
to read any thing that you write. Write therfore I pray you, 
that we your frcndes beyng at home may en- 
ioye by your letters a pleasant memory of 
you in this tyme whilest you be absent a- 
broad. Farewell in Christ from Hat- 
field, xix. 06lobris. 1552. 



<^^ R. Ascham, to lohn Asteley. 



SAlutem Flur'unam in Chrhto lesu. That part of your 
letters from Hatfield^ decimo mm OSfob. renewing a most 
pleasaunt memory of our fredly fellowship together, & full of 
your wonted good will towardes me : I aunswered immediatly 
from Spires by Fraunces the post : whiche letter if it be not yet 
come to your hand, ye might haue heard tell of it in M. Secre- 
tary Cicels chamber in the Court. 

As concernyng the other part of your letter, for your wish, 
to haue bene with me, in this mine absence from my countrey : 
and for your request, to be made partaker by my letters of the 
sturre of these times here in Gertnany. Surely I would you 
had your wish : for then should not I now nede to bungle vp 
yours so great a request, when presently you should haue sene 
with much pleasure, which now peradueture you shall read 
with some doubt, lesse thynges may encrease by writyng 
which were so great in doyng, as I am more afrayd to leaue 
behind me much of the matter, then to gather vp more then 
hath sprong of the trouth. 

Your request conteineth few wordes but coprehendeth both 
great and diuers matters. As first the causes of the open 
inuasion by the Turke : of the secret workyng for such 
soddeyne brechesse in Italy^ and Germany : of the fine fetches 
in the French practises : of the double dealyng of Rome with 
all partes : the more particularly why Duke OSiauio^ the Prince 
of Salerne^ Marches Albert^ and Duke Maurice brake so out 
with the Emperour, which were all so fast knit vnto hym as 
the bondes of affinitie, loyaltie, bloud, and benefites could 
assure him of them : OBau'io being his sonne in law, the Prince 
one of hys priuy chamber, Marches Albert hys kynsman, and 
Duke Maurice so inhaunsed with honor and enriched with 
benefites by hym, as the Duke could not haue wished greater 
in hope, then the Emperour performed in deede. Here is 
stuffe plenty to furnish well vp a trimme history if a workeman 
had it in handlyng. When you and I read L'lu'ie together 



126 A discours and affaires 

if you do remember, after some reasonyng we cocluded both 
what was in our opinion to be looked for at his hand that 
would well and aduisedly write an history : First, point was, to ' 
write nothyng false : next, to be bold to say any truth, wherby 
is auoyded two great faultes, flattery and hatred : For which 
two pointes Ct^sar is read to his great prayse, 
P louitcs ^^^ louius the Italian to hys iust reproch. Then 

to marke diligently the causes, cousels, actes, and 
issues in all great attemptes : And in causes, what is iust or 
vniust : in cousels, what is purposed wisely or rashly : in actes, 
what is done couragiously or fayntly : And of euery issue, to 
note some generall lesson of wisedome & warines, for lyke 
Polibius. matters in time to come : wherin Polib'im in 

Phi. Co- Greeke and Phillip Comines in French haue done 

mines. j-j^g duties of wyse and worthy writers. Dili- 

gence also must be vsed in kepyng truly the order of tyme : 
and describyng lyuely, both the site of places and nature of 
persons not onely for the outward shape of the body : but also 
Thiuidi- '^^'^ ^^ inward dispositio of the mynde as Thuci- 

des. dides doth in many places very trimly, and Homer 

Homer. euery where and that alwayes most excellently, 

which obseruation is chiefly to be marked in hym. And our 
Chaucer doth the same, very praise worthely : 
Chaucer. marke hym well and conferre hym with any 

other that writeth of our tyme in their proudest toung who- 
soeuer lyst. The stile must be alwayes playne and open : yet 
sometime higher and lower as matters do ryse and fall : for if 
proper and naturall wordes, in well ioyned sentences do lyuely 
expresse the matter, be it troublesome, quyet, angry or pleasant, 
A man shal thincke not to be readyng but present in doyng 
of the same. And herein Liuie of all other in 
Titus Li- j^i^y toung, by myne opinio carieth away the 

prayse. 
Syr Thomas More in that pamphlet of Richard the thyrd, 
doth in most part I beleue of all these pointes so 
Tho. Mo- content all men, as if the rest of our story of 

England were so done, we might well compare with 
Fraunce^ Italy\ or Germany in that behalfe. But see how the 
pleasant remembraunce of our old talke together hath caried me 
farther then I thought to go. And as for your request to know 



of the state of German ie. 1 27 

the cause and maner of these late sturres here ye shall not looke 
for such precise order now in writyng, as we talked on then. No 
it is not all one thing to know perfectly by reading and to 
performe perfectly in doyng I am not so vnaduised to take so 
much vpo me, nor you so vnfrendly to looke for so much from 
me. But that you may know that I haue not bene altogether 
idle in this my absence, and that I will not come home as one 
that can say nothing of that he hath sene and heard abroad : 
I will homely and rudely (yet not altogether disorderly) part 
priuately vnto you such notes of affaires as I priuately marked 
for my selfe : which I either felt and saw, or learned in such 
place and of such persos as had willes to seeke for, and wayes 
to come by, and wittes to way the greatest matters that were 
to be marked in all these affaires. For no wieke almost hath 
past in the which there hath not commonly come to my hand 
for the most part of the notable thynges that haue bene 
attempted in Turky^ Hungary^ ^i^^-, Fraunce^ and Germany. 
In declaryng to you these thyngs I will obserue onely the first 
two pointes of our wont communication : that is to my writyng 
I will set forward nothyng that is false, nor yet keepe backe 
any thyng that is true. For I playing no part of no one side, 
but sittyng downe as indifferent looker on, neither Imperiall 
nor Freeh, but flat English do purpose with troth to report the 
matter. And seyng I shall lyue vnder such a Prince, as kyng 
Edward is, and in such a countrey as Englad is (I thanke God) 
I shall haue neither neede to flatter the one side for profite, nor 
cause to feare the other side for displeasure. Therefore let my 
purpose of reportyng the troth as much content you, as the 
meane handlyng of the matter may mislike you. Yet speakyng 
thus much of trouth, I meane not such a hid trouth as was 
onely in the brest of Monsieur d"" Arras on the Emperours side, 
or in Baron Hadeck on Duke Maurice side, with whom and 
with on other of his counsel! he onely conferred all his purposes 
three yeares before he brake out with ye Emperour : but 
I meane such a troth as by conference and common cosent 
amongest all the Ambassadors and Agentes in this Court and 
other witty h indifferent heades beside was generally conferred 
and agreed vpo. What better comoditie to know the trouth 
any writer in Greeke Lat'ine or other toung hath had, I can not 
perceiue, except onely Xenophon^ Casar, and Phillip Comines : 



128 A discoiirs and affaires 

which two first worthy writers wrote their owne actes so wisely, 
and so without all suspicion of parcialitie, as no ma hetherto by 
mine opinion hath borne him selfe so vprightly in writyng the 
histories of others : The thyrd hauyng in a maner y^^ like 
oportunitie hath not deserued lylce commendations, at least 
as I suppose. Englad hath matter & Englad hath me furnished 
with all abilitie to write : who if they would might bryng both 
lyke prayse vnto them selues, & like profite to others, as these 
two noble me haue done. They lay for their excuse the lacke 
of leysure which is true in deede : But if we cosider the great 
affaires of Ccssar we may iudge hee was worthy to winne all 
praise that was so willing & wittie to winne such time when 
his head & his handes night and day were euer most full, 
would to God that these our me as they are ready to prayse 
hym were euen as willyng to follow hym, and so to wynne like 
prayse them selues. 

And to keepe you no longer with my priuate talke from the 
matter it selfe, I will begyn at the spryng of the matter from 
whence all these mischiefes dyd flow, the which now hath so 
ouerflowed the most part of Christendome, as God onely from 
heauen must make an end of this miserable tragedie, wherein 
these two great Princes take such pleasure still to play. In 
The cause of Religion & libertie were sayd to be of many men 
y" sturres in the very causes of all these sturres : yet in myne 
Italy & opinion h as the matter it selfe shall well proue 

Germany. j^.^ vnkyndnes was the very sede, whereof all these 

troubles dyd grow. A Knight of England of worthy memorie 
for wit learnyng and experience old Syr Thomas 
nvyncnes. Jj/iat wrote to his sonne that the greatest mis- 
chief amongest men and least punished is vnkyndnes : the 
greatest mischief truly & least punished also by any ordinary 
law & sentence, yet as I haue sene here by experience, 
vnkyndnes hath so wrought with men, as the meane were not 
afFrayd to attempt their reuege, nor the Emperour able to 
withstand their displease. Yea vnkyndnes was onely the hoke, 
which Henry the French kyng hath vsed these late yeares to 
plucke from the Emperour and draw to hym selfe, so many 
Princes and great comodities as he hath : with this hoke bayted 
with money the bayte of all mischief, the French kyng hath not 
ceased to angle at as many harts in Italy and Germany as 



of the state of Germanie. 129 

he knew any matter of vnkyndnes to bee ministred vnto, by 
the Emperour. There be few Princes in all the Empire but 
if I had leysure, I could particularly proue, and when I come 
home in our priuate talke I wil fully declare that some good 
big matter of vnkindnes hath bene offred vnto them by the 
Emperour. Yea Ferdlnando his brother, Maximilian his nephew 
and Sonne in law, the Dukes of Bauarie and Cleues which haue 
maried his nieces haue bene shrewdly touched therwith. Also 
y^ Papisticall Byshops as Mentz^ Pamburge^ HerbipoHs^ Sa/tz- 
burge, and diuers others haue felt their part herein. Few 
Princes or states, Protestantes or Papistes, but haue bene 
troubled therwith. But euen as a quaterne in the begynnyng 
is a wanderyng disease in the body vnknowne what it wil turne 
vnto, and yet at last it draweth to certaine dayes & houres : 
euen so these grieues in the whole body of the Empire dyd first 
worke secretly and not appeare openly, vntill this melancholy 
vnkyndnes did so swell in mens stomaches that at length in 
Insburgh it brast out into a shrewd sicknes, whereof the first fit 
was felt to be so daugerous, that if the Emperour and we had 
not more spedely chaunged the ayre, I am afFrayed and sure 
I am we were wel afFrayd then, the sickenes would haue proued 
also to vs that were present with hym very contagious. Well 
this grief growyng this to certaine fittes, and I my selfe beyng 
not greatly greued at ye hart with it but had leysure enough 
with small ieoperdy (I thanke God) to looke quietly vpon them 
that were sicke, because I would not be idle amongst them 
I began dayly to note the workyng of this sickenes, and namely 
from the xix. of May .1552. when we ranne from Insburgh till 
the first of next January whe the siege of Metz was abadoned. 
Neuertheles before I come to these ordinary dayes I will 
shortly touch how the Emperour beyng in peace with all the 
world .1550. when we came to his Court, had soone after so 
many enemyes as hee knew not which way to turne hym. 

fl The Turke. 

THe date of peace betwixt the Emperour and the Turke had to 
expire an. 1 55 1. The Emperour hearyng what xi b h 
preparation the Turke had made the yeare before ^jth the 
for warre and specially by Sea, which must needes Turke. 



130 A discours and affaires 

be agaynst Christendoiiie, thought it better for him to ende 
the peace with some aduauntage, the that the Turke should 
begyn the warre with too much strength & therfore in 
somrner .1550. he sent lohn de Vega Viceroy of C'lc'ile &i 
Anch-ea Dorea into Barharia^ who wan the strong towne of 
Ajfrica from Dragut Rates sometyme a Pirate and now the 
Tiirkes chief doer in all the affaires of Affrike and mare 
mediteraneo. This Court raised vp other rumors of this brech 
with the Turke how that this enterprice was made for Seripho 
sake a hethen kyng. But the Emperours frend in Barharia 
to whom Dragat Rayes had done great wrong, yet men that 
knew the troth, and are wont also to say it, haue told me that 
the towne of Ajfrica stode so fit to annoy Spayne for the Turke 
when he list, that the Emperour was compelled to seeke by all 
meanes to obtaine it, much fearyng, lest when he was absent 
in Germany^ the Turke would be too nigh and to homely a gest 
with hym in Spayne whensoeuer the peace should be expired. 
The whole story of winnyng Ajfrica ye may read whe you 
list beyng wel written in Latin by a Spaniard that was present 
at it. 

Affrica was earnestly required agayne by the Turke^ and 
fayre promised agayne by the Emperour, but beyng in deede 
not deliuered, the Turke for a reuenge the next yeare, first 
assaulted Malta and after wan Tripoly from whence the Turke 
may easely and soddenly whensoeuer hee list set vpon Cicelie^ 
Naples^ or any cost of Italie or Spayne and most commodiously, 
what soeuer the Emperour doth hold in Barbary : so that the 
gayne of Ajfrica is thought nothyng comparable with the losse 
of Tripoly, 

When Tripoly was besieged by the Turkes^ Monsieur Dara- 
mont was sent Ambassadour to Constantinople from the French 
kyng : and ariuyng by the way at Malta,, hee was desired by 
the great master of the order to go to Tripoly^ and for the 
frendshyp that was betwene Fraunce and the Turke to treat for 
the Christians there. Daramont did so and had leaue of the 
Turkes generall to enter the towne and talke with the Captaine. 
And bv this meanes they within yelded, on this condition 
to part safe with bag and baggage which was graunted by the 
generall. But assoone as the Turkes entred the towne they put 
old & yong, man, woman, and child to the sword sauing two 



of the state of Germanie. 131 

hundred of the strongest men to be their Galley slaues for euer. 
The general! beyng asked why he kept no promise made this 
aunswere : If the Emperour had kept faith with my master 
for Affrica I would not haue broken with them of Tripoly^ 
and therfore (sayth he) with Christen men which care for no 
trothe promises may iustly be broken. This Turkish crueltie 
was reuenged this last yeare in Hungary^ when lyke promise of 
lyfe was made, and yet all put to the sword the Christians 
biddyng the Turkes remember Tripoly. To such beastly crueltie 
the noble feates of armes be come vnto betwixt the Christen 
men and the Turkes. And one fact of either side is notable 
to bee knowen, yet horrible to be told and fouler to be 
followed : and it is pitie that mas nature is such, as will 
commonlie commend good thynges in readyng and yet will as 
commonly follow ill thynges in doyng. 

The Bassa of Buda^ tooke in a skirmish a getleman of the 
kyng of Romanes : for whose deliuery men for 
entreaty and money for hys raunsome were sent |-^" lomble 
to Buda. The Bassa appointed a day to geue 
them aunswere, and at time and place assigned, called for them 
and sent for the gentleman likewise. And soddenly came out 
two hangmen bare armed with great butchers kniues in theyr 
handes bringing with them certaine bandogges musled kept 
hungry without meate of purpose : the Bassa bad them do their 
feate : who commyng to the gentleman stripped him naked, 
and bound him to a piller, after with their kniues they cut of 
his flesh by gobbets and flang it to the dogges. Thus ye poore 
gentlema suffred grief great for y^ payne, but greater for the 
spight : nor so tormeted in feelyng his fleshe mangled with 
kniues, as in seyng him selfe peece meale deuoured by dogo-es. 
And thus as long as hee felt any payne they cut him in collops, 
and after they let their dogges lose vpon him to eate vp the 
residue of him, that y^ grief which was ended in him being 
dead might yet continue in his frendes lookyng on. They 
were bad depart and tell what they saw, who ye may be sure 
were in care enough to cary home with them such a cruell 
message. 

Not long after this, three Turkes of good estimation and 
place, were taken by the Christen men : for whose raunsome 
great summes of gold were offred. Aunswere was made to the 

I 2 



132 A discours and affaires 

messenger that all the gold in Turky should not saue the. 
And because ye Turkey will eate no swines flesh, you shall see 
if swine will eate any Turkish fleshe. And so likewise great 
bores were kept hungry, & in sight of the messenger the three 
Turkes were cut in collops and throwne amongest them. 

For these foule deedes I am not so angry with the Turkes 
that began them as I am sory for the Christen men that follow 
them. I talked with a worthy gentleman this day both for his 
great experience and excellent learnyng Marc Anthonlo d"" Anula 

Ambassadour of Venice with the Emperour: who 
The great ^^jj ^^^^ ^\^.^^ ^^ great Turke him selfe (Religion 

excepted) is a good and mercyfull, iust and liberall 
Prince, wise in makyng and true in performyng any couenant, 
and as sore a reuenger of troth not kept. He prayed God to 
Mustapha kepe him long aliue : for his eldest sonne Mustapha 

the Turkes is cleane contrary, geue to all mischief cruell, 
eldest Sonne false, gettyng he careth not how vniustly, and 
spendyng he careth not how vnthriftely what soeuer he may 
lay hand on, wilye in makyng for his purpose, & ready to 
breake for his profite all couenantes, he is wery of quietnes and 
peace, a seeker of strife and warre, a great mocker of meane 
men, a sore oppressor of poore men, openly contemnyng God, 
and a bent enemy agaynst Christes name and Christen men. 
But to go forward with my purpose. The Turke beyng onest 
disclosed an open enemy to the Emperour, many meane men 
bega to be the bolder to put out their heades to seeke some 
open remedy for theyr priuate iniuries : Fraunce beyng at euery 

mans elbow to harten and to helpe, whosoeuer 
Brech of j^^j cause to be aggreued with the Emperour. 

And first Ociaulo Duke of Parma^ much agreued 
as nature well required with his fathers death & besides that 
fearing the losse not onely of his state, but also of his lyfe, fell 
from the Emperour in the end of the yeare .1550. 

Pietro Aloysio Farnesio sonne to Papa Paulo tercio Duke of 

Placetia : father to this Duke O^auio Duke 

of Parma which maried the Emperors base 
daughter, and to Horatio Duke of Castro^ who of late hath 
maried also the French kynges base daughter, and the two 
Cardinals Alexandro and Ramusio Farnesy^ was slaine men say 
by the meanes of Ferranto Gonzaga gouernour of Millan by 



of the state of Germanie. 1 3 3 

whose death the state of Placentia beloging then to the house 
of Fernesia came into the Emperour handes. The whole 
processe of this mans death is at length set out in the stories of 
Italie : my purpose is onely to touch it, because hereby rose 
such a heate betwixt the whole famely of Fernesia and Don 
Ferranto Gon-zaga as hath stirred vp such a smoke in Italy 
betwixt the Emperour and Fraunce^ as is not like to be 
quenched but with many a poore mans bloud, as Horace noteth 
wittely out of Horner^ saying : 

JVhat follies so euer great Princes make : 
The people therfore go to wrake. 

O£iauio beyng sorest greeued with his fathers death and 
beyng best able to reuenge it was so feared of Gonzaga that 
he thought hym selfe neuer assured for Petro Luis death as long 
as O£laiiio his sonne should lyue : for men neuer loue whe 
they haue iust cause to feare, but must nedes still mistrust 
without all hope of reconcilyng whom they haue before hurt 
beyod all remedy of amendes. And yet I heard a gentlema 
of Millan say (who was sent hether to the Emperour by 
Gonzaga) that O^lauio is such a Prince for good nature and 
gentle behauiour that he supposed there was not one in Italy 
but did loue hym except it were his maister Gonzaga. These 
two Princes beyng neighbours the one at Millan the other at 
Parma shewed smal frendshyp the one to the other. But 
OSiauio was euermore wrong to the worse by many and sundry 
spites, but chiefly with dayly feare of hys life by poysoning : 
for the which fact certain persons in Parma were taken and 
layd fast. Neuertheles OSlauios nature is so farre from seekyng 
bloud and reuenge and so geuen to pitie and gentlenes, that 
although they went about not onely to geue away his state by 
treason, but also to take away his life by poysonyng, yea, and 
after that the deede was proued playnly on them, and sentence 
of death pronounced openly agaynst them, yet he gaue them 
lyfe and libertie which would haue taken both from hym. 

And when Monsieur Thermes earnestly told him that where 
the euill were not kept in with feare of Justice, the good should 
neuer lyue in suretie and quietnes : his aunswere was that he 
so abhorred the sheddyng of bloud in others as he would neuer 
wash his handes in any : let his enemies do to him the worst 



134 ^ discours and affaires 

they could. Addyng, that he thought it his most honor to be 
vnlykest such for his gentlenes which were misliked of all 
me for their crueltie : wherby he hath wonne that he which of 
good nature can hurt none, is now of right loued of all and 
onely hated of him who no man in Italy for his cruelty doth 
loue. And this talke is so true that it was told in an other 
language but in the selfe same termes at an honorable table 
here in Bruxeh by a gentleman of Millan an agent in the 
Court, a doer for Gonzaga^ who the same tyme was prisoner 
in Parma. 

And although OSfauio by good nature was harmeles in not 
seekyng reuenge, yet he was not careles by good reason in 
seekyng hys remedy but made oft & great coplaintes of his 
grieues to the Emperour, which were not so hotely made, but 
they were as coldly heard, that at legth O£iauio findyng least 
comfort, where of right he looked for most ayde, hi. seyng that 
displeasures could not be ended in Gon%aga nor could not be 
amended by the Emperour : then he compelled agaynst his 
nature turned his hate due to Gon'zaga to reuenge this vndeserued 
vnkyndnes in the Emperour, euen as Pausanias dyd with Phillip 
kyng of Macedonie^ who conqueryng with pollicie and power 
all outward enemyes, was slayne when and where, he thought 
him selfe most sure of his dearest fred, for vnkindnes, because 
Phillip ought and would not renege Pausanias on him that had 
done him a foule displeasure. 

O^auio seyng what was done to his father euen when hys 
graundfather was Byshop of Rome., thought, that now as his 
house decayed, so his iopardy encreased. And therfore agaynst 
a desperate euill began to seeke for a desperate remedie, which 
was fet from Ro?7je a shop alwayes open to any mischief as you 
shall perceiue in these few leaues if you marke them well. 

OSlauio coplained to lulio tercio of the wroges of Gonzaga 
& of the vnkindnes of the Emperour, desirying that by his 
wisedome and authoritie, he would now succor him or els not 
onely he should leese his life but also the Church of Rome 
should lose her right in Parma., as she had done before in 
Placentia. The Byshop gaue good eare to this talke, for he 
spied that hereby should be ofFred vnto him, a fit occasion to set 
the Emperour and Fraunce together by the eares. He thought 
the Emperour was to bigge in Italy hauyng on y^ one side of 



of the state of Germanie. 1 3 5 

Rome Naples vnder his obedience, on the other side Siena^ 
Florence and Genoa at his commaundement, besides Placentia^ 
M'lllan^ Monteferrato^ and a great part of Piemount. 

The Emperour beyng thus strong in Italy^ the Byshop 
thought his own state to be his so log as it pleased the 
Emperour to let him haue it : & therfore it Parma were not 
left an entry for Fraunce to come into Italy ^ he might ouersoone 
be shut vp in present miserie when all outward ayde should be 
shut out from him. 

The Popes counsel was that OSfauio should put him selfe 
vnder the French kynges protection whom hee knew would 
most willingly receiue him : Parma lying so fit for the French 
kyng, when soeuer he would set vpon the enterprice oi Millan. 
This practise of the Pope Monsieur de Thermes the French 
kynges Ambassadours dyd vtter before the consistorie of 
Cardinals at Rome : prouing that the Pope, not the kyng his 
master was the occasion of that warre. 

When OSiauio with the whole house of Farnes'ia became 
thus Frech^ the Emperour more fearyng the state of M'lllan 
then lamentyng the losse of OtJauio persuaded on his side the 
Byshop of Rome to require Parma as the Churches right, & to 
punish Odauio as the Churches rebell, promising that he him 
selfe as an obedient sonne of the Church would stretch out his 
arme and open his purse in that recouery of the Churches 
right : neuertheles the Byshop must beare the name of the 
warre because hee might not breake peace with Fraunce. Thus 
Princes openly cotenacing quietnes & priuily brewyng debate 
although they got others to broch it, yet God commoly suffreth 
the selues to drinke most of the misery thereof in the end. 
The Byshop seyng that he must either begyn the mischief or 
els it would not on so fast as he wished to haue it, set lustely 
vpon it : and first cited O^auio^ after excommunicated him, 
and shortly after besieged Parma ayded both with me and 
money by the Emperour : which thyng the 
French kyng began to stomach, thinckyng that y^ Fraunce 
Emperour dyd offer him both wrong & dishonor 
in not sufFring him beyng a kyng to helpe a poore man that 
fled to his ayde. And thus these two Princes first helpyng 
others began by litle and litle to fall out them selues. And 
that the Pope dyd set these two Princes together, a Pasquill 



136 A discours and affaires 

made at Rome and sent to this Court doth well declare. And 
seyng that you so well vnderstand the Italian toung and that if 
it were turned into English it would leese the whole grace 
therof, I will recite it in the toung that it was made in. 

Interlocutori Pasquillo et Romano. 

Pasq. T T Anno vn hel gioco il Re^ et P Imperatore 

X X p^f tef'Z'O el Papa^ e giocano a Primera. 
Rom. che v" e cf invito P Pasq. Italia tutta inter a. 
Rom. Chi vi /' ha messa ? Pasq. /'/ coglion del pastor e. 
Rom. Che tien in mano il Re ? Pasq. Ponto magiore. 

e'l Papa ha cinquanf vno^ e se despera. 
Rom. Cissar che Ponto s'a ? Pasq. lui sta a Primera. 
Rom. che gli manca ? Pasq. danari a far fauore. 

II Papa dice^ a vol^ e vuol Partita : 

Casar Pensoso sta Sopra di questo, 

teme a Scoprir di \_non'\ trouar moneta 

II Re dice^ no^ no^ Scoprite Presto^ 

che io tengo Ponto^ a guadagnar /' invito 

r ho U danari^ et Ccesar se gli aspeta. 

H Tutti stanno a vedetta 

Chi di lor due guadagni. Rom. // Papa ? Pas. k fuora^ 
vinca chi vuol^ lui Perde^ in sua maF hora. 

IF U Imperatore anchora 

Teme^ e tien stretto^ e Scopre Pian le carte., 
e qui la sorte gioca., piii che /' Arte. 

IF Metta questi in disparte. 

Stabilito e nel Ciel quello^ che esser d^^ 

ne gioua 7 nostro dir^ questo Sara questo e. 

The French king in the sommer .1551. proclaimed warre 
against Charles kyng of Spayne^ abusing that name for a sottlety 
to separate y^ whole quarell from the Empire : when the 
Emperour would not be persuaded at Augusta that either the 
Turke would, or the French kyng durst make him open warre, 
or that any Prince in Italy or Germany could be entised to 
breake out with him. 



of the state of Germanie. i 37 

Monsieur MarUiacke the French Ambassadour at Augusta 
euer bare the Emperour in hand that such rumors of war were 
raysed of displeasure h that his master intended nothyng so 
much as the continuance of amitie, yea this he durst do, when 
many in y^ Emperours court knew that the war was already 
proclaimed in Fraunce. 

The Emperour blinded with the ouer good opinion of his 
own wisedome, likyng onely what him selfe listed, and 
contemnyng easely all aduise of others (which selfe will con- 
dition doth commonly follow, and as commonly doth hurt all 
great wittes) dyd not onely at this tyme suffer him selfe thus to 
be abused : but also afterward more craftely by the Pope for 
the continuaunce of warre at Parma^ & more boldly by Duke 
Maurice for his repayre to Inspruke^ and not the least of all, 
now lately at Metz by some of his owne counsellours for the 
recouery of that towne. 

But Princes and great personages whiche will heare but 
what and whom they list, at the length fayle when they would 
not, and commonly blame whom they should not : But it is 
well done that as great men may by authoritie contemne the 
good aduise of others : so God doth prouide by right iudgement 
that they haue leaue in the ende to beare both the losse and 
shame therof them selues. 

Thus ye see how the Pope was both the brewer and 
brocher and also bringer of ill lucke to both these Princes, and 
as it came wel to passe dranke well of it him selfe both with 
expences of great treasures, and with the losse of many lyues 
and specially of two noble gentlemen, the Prince of Macedonia 
and // Seign. Giouan Baptista di Monte his owne nephew : but 
the Popes care was neither of money nor men, so that he might 
set the two Princes surely together. And therfore was not 
onely content (as a man might say) to hasard Parma on the 
meyne chauce : but to make the two Princes better sporte & 
fresher game, set also eue then Mirandula on a bye chaunce 
that mischief enough might come together. 

When the Princes were well in and the one so lusty with 
good lucke that hee had no lust to leaue, aud 
the other so chafed with leesyng, that still he ^^^' 

would venture. Besides their playing in sporte m--^/ 
for the Pope at Parma and Mirandula^ they fell 



138 A discours and affaires 

to it a good them selues in Piemout^ Loraigne^ Flaunders and 
Picardy^ the French kyng robbyng by Sea and spoyling by 
land, with calling in the Turke^ and sturryng vp all Princes 
and states that had any occasion to beare any grudge to the 
Emperour. Of all their neighbours onely our noble kyng, 
and the wise senate of Veni%e would be lookers on. 

And when the Pope saw they were so bote at it as he well 
knew as the one would not start in so great good lucke : so ys 
other could not leaue by so much shame of losse. And 
although it did him good to see them cope so lustely together : 
neuertheles he thought it scarce his surety that they should play 
so nere his elbow so earnestly, least if they fell to farre out and 
the one should winne to much of the other, then he per- 
aduenture would compell at length the Pope him selfe which 
bega the play to kepe him sport afterward for that that he had 
in Italy. And therfore very craftely he gat them to play in an 
The Po- other place, and tooke vp the game for Parma 

pes prac- and Mirandula taking truce with Fraimce for 

^^^^- certaine yeares, and bad them make what sport 

they would farther of in Loraigne Sc Picardy. And that there 
should lacke neither iniurie nor spite in the Popes doynges, whe 
the Emperour saw that whether hee would or no, the Pope 
would needes fall in with Fraunce^ then he desired the Pope 
that such bastilians and fortes of fence as were made about 
Mirandula when it was besieged might either be deliuered to 
hys mens handes or els defaced that the Frenchmen might not 
haue them, which request was very reasonable seyng the 
Emperour had bene at all the charge in makyng of them : But 
they were neither deliuered nor defaced, nor left indifferet, but 
so put into the French mens handes, that Mirandula now is 
made very strong to the French faction by Emperours money 
and the Popes falsehode. 

This fact was very wrongfull of the Pope for the deede : 
but more spitefull for the tyme : for euen when Duke Maurice 
had wonne Augusta., euen then the Pope gaue vp the siege of 
Mirandula and fell in with Fraunce that care enough might 
come vppon the Emperour together both out of Germany., and 
out oi Italy at once. And eue this day .25. June .1553. when 
I was writyng this place, commeth newes to Bruxells., that the 
Pope hath of new played with the Emperour more foule play 



of the state of Germanie. 139 

at Siena^ then he dyd before at Mirandula : For who the 
Emperour had bene at passing charges in kepyng a great host, 
for the recouery of Siena from December last vnto Jvme : the 
Pope would needes become stickler in that matter betwene the 
Emperour, the French kyng and Siena promising such conditions 
to all, as neither of the Princes should lose honour and yet 
Siena should haue had liberties. The Emperour good man yet 
agayne trustyng him who so spightfully had deceaued hym 
before dismissed hys hoste, which done Siena was left still in 
the French mes hades : who therby haue such oportunitie to 
fortifie it, as y^ Emperor is not like by force to recouer it. 
Piramus Secretary to ye Emperor told this tale to Syr Phillip 
Hobby Si the Byshop of Westminster openly at y^ table : which 
Piramus is a Papist for his life : & beyng asked how he could 
excuse the Popes vnkyndnes agaynst his master y^ Emperour : 
Hee aunswered smilyng lulius tcrcius is a knaue but y^ Pope is 
an honest ma, which saying is como in this court. And 
although they wil vnderstad both y*^ spight of ye pope, & y^ 
shame of their master, yet are they cotent stil to speake of y^ 
pope though he neuertheles still do ill to ye Emperour. 

And thus to returne to my purpose how the Pope set the 
two Princes together, & shift his owne necke a while out of 
the halter, leauyng most vnfrendly the Emperour when he was 
farthest behynd hand : and how OS^auio for feare of Gon%aga^ 
and vnkyndnes of the Emperour fell with all hys famely to be 
French^ I haue briefly passed over for the bast I haue to come 
to the matters of Germany. 



^ The Prince of Salerne. 



X' 



^He Emperour beyng thus set vpon by the Turke and 
X Fraunce with open warre, and troubled by the house of 
Fernesia with so soddeyne breaches, and most of all encombred 
with the feare of the sturres in Germany which secretly were 
then in workyng : the Prince of Salerne also declared hym selfe 
an open enemy. 

This Prince in this court is much beloiied for his getlenes 
and openly praysed for his wisedome, & greatly lamented for 
his fortune, who before tyme hath done so good and faythfull 



140 A discours and affaires 

seruice to the Emperour : that I haue heard some in this Court 
say, which loue the Emperour well and serue him in good place, 
that their master hath done the Prince so much wrong, as he 
could do no lesse then he dyd : who being so vniustly hadled by 
his enemies, the Viceroy of Naples^ and so vnkyndly dealt 
with all by hys master y^ Emperour, was driuen by necessitie 
to seeke an vnlawfull shift. 

The Viceroy Don Pietro de Toledo vncle to y^ Duke of 
Alua^ & father in law to y^ duke of Florece vsed him selfe with 
much cruelty ouer ye people of Naples by exactions of money 
without measure, by Inquisition of mens doyngs without 
order, & not onely of mens doynges, but also of mes outward 
lookyngs, & inward thinkynges, vsing the least suspicion for 
a sufficiet witnes to spoyle & to kill who soeuer he lysted. 
Me that had sutes vnto him, had as leue bene away with the 
losse of their right, as haue come to his presence to abyde his 
lokes & tatits : And (as I heard a wise getlemfi of Italy say) he 
gaue audiece in such tyme & place, as he may easlyer in this 
Court speake with Monsieur d'' Arras then he could in Naples 
with the Viceroyes Porter. And commoly he would not 
heare them whilest an hundred suters should come at once, and 
then the Porter let them in by one and by one euen as he 
fauoured not as the matter required, commaudyng theni to be 
short or els they should come short in the next tyme. And so 
mens sutes were pulled fro comon law to priuate will, & were 
heard not in place open to lustice but in priuate Parlors shit vp 
to all that came not in by fauour or money. And therfore 
iudgements were allotted not as law appointed, but as the Vice- 
roy listed. This fault {Cicero sayth) vndyd Caesar who drew 
the commo law into his own house, & so in hauing other mes 
goods lost all mes hartes and not long after his owne lyfe : for 
euen those that dyd helpe him plucke down Pompey^ dyd after 
kill him for pulling downe the lawes : So we see that Princes 
not in gatheryng much money, nor in bearing ouer great 
swinge but in keping of frendes & good lawes lyue most merely 
& raigne most surely. But such as gape alwayes for other 
mens goods comoly neuer enioy y^ fruite of their owne : for 
they neuer cease to win by wrog till at length they leese by 
right goodes lyfe & all. And therfore it is notable y' Dion, in 
Plato writeth to Dionisius y^ tyraut, how Euripides in euery 



of the state of Germanie. 141 

tragedy bringeth for some great vice one or other great Prince 
to ruine & yet not one doth coplaine thus : 

Out out alas alas, I dye for lacke of goodes. 

But euery one singeth this song : 

Out out alas alas, I dye for lacke of frendes. 

For a Prince that will take mes goods when he listeth 
without order shall want mens hartes whe he needeth w'out 
pitie : but in hauyng their hartes he shall neuer lacke their 
goodes, as the good kyng Cirus sayd to the rich kyng Croesus. 
And to haue the peoples hartes the next way is to be gentle to 
euery one, iust to all and liberall to many and especially to such 
as either by excellency of wit or good will in true seruice do 
well deserue it. Also to set his chiefest ioy not in priuate 
pleasure like Sardanapalus, but in commo wealth as we haue 
example of 'Titus Vespas'ianus : and to thinke his treasure 
greatest, not when his coffers be fullest as Crasus dyd, but when 
his subiectes be richest as Cyrus dyd & that through hys wise- 
dome and care as all prayse worthy princes haue euer hetherto 
done. And what will the people reder agayn to such a Prince? 
A small subsidy, with a great grudge? no, but their whole hartes 
to loue him : their whole goodes to ayde hyni : theyr handes 
ready to defende hym, and theyr lyues as ready to dye for hym 
when soeuer he shall haue neede. A Prince that thus doth 
lyue and thus is loued at home may be enuyed with much 
prayse, and hated with smal hurte of any power abroad. 

And therfore haue I heard wisemen discommend the 
gouernement in Fraunce in makyng theyr people almost slaues, 
and from thence a conion saying of some in gyj. tq1j„ 
England, that would haue the people neither witty Gates 
nor wealthy when wit is the meare gift of G O D : ^'^'^• 
So that to wish men lesse wit that haue it, is to count God 
scarse wise that gaue it. And wealth of the people as Scripture 
sayth : is the glory of a Prince, and surety of hys raigne. 
But suspition in all gouerning breedeth such sayinges, when 
wrong doth beare such swynge, as ill conscience doth alwayes 
wish that men should lacke either wit to perceaue or habilitie 
to amende what soeuer is done amisse. But God send such 
Achitophels better ende then their counsels doth deserue which 



142 A disc ours and affaires 

would seme wise by other mens folly, and would be rich by 
other mens pouertie. 

To returne to the Viceroy of Naples the common opinion 
of those in this Court which haue priuate cause to say wel on 
him do speake it boldly and openly, that he was such a one as 
neuer could content his couetousnes with money, nor neuer 
satisfie his crueltie with bloud : And so by this foule meane 
many gentleme in Naples haue lost some theyr Hues but moe 
theyr liuynges, and almost all theyr libertie. And there be at 
this day as men say here that know it a good sort of thousandes 
Neapol'itanes^ named Foriemuti^ who beyng spoyled at home by 
violence, robbe other abroad for neede, which comber so the 
passage betwixt ^oyne and Naples^ as no man departeth 
commonly from R.ome without company which commeth to 
Naples without robbyng. 

The whole body of the kyngdome of Naples was so dis- 
tempered inwardly with this misorder, with a litle outward 
occasion it would easely haue burst forth into a foule sore. 
A lesse matter then the rauishyng of Liicrece^ A meaner ayde 
then the helpe of Brutus^ was thought suflicient to haue stirred 
vp this inward grudge to open reuenge. But see how God 
prouided for the Eniperour and the quyet of that kingdome : 
For God in takyng away one Spanyard hath made Naples now 
more strong, then if the Emperour had set xx. thousand of the 
best in Spayne there : for euen this last Lent .1553. Don Pietro 
di Toledo dyed at Florence by whose goyng away mens hartes in 
Naples be so come agayne to the Emperour, as he shall now 
haue lesse neede either to care for the fyne fetches of Fraunce^ 
or to feare the great power of the Turke. A gentleman of this 
Court a true seruaunt to the Emperour sayd merely in a company 
where I was, that his master the Emperour had won more in 
Naples by the death of the Viceroy, then he had lost in 
Lorraigne by the forgyng of Metx. 

But to my purpose not many yeares agoe diuers in Naples 
made their coplaint to the Prince of Salerne of their griefes, 
who was thought would be most willyng for his good nature, 
and best able for his authoritie to seeke some remedie for them 
by way of intercessi5 to the Emperour. 

The Prince beyng here at Bruxels humbly besought hys 
Maiestie to pitie the miserie of hys poore subiectes : who by 



of the state of Germank. 143 

this sute gat of the Emperour for hys cliantes, wordes without 
hope : and of the Viceroy for him selfe hatred without ende. 
The Prince yet alwayes bare hym selfe so wisely, that he could 
not without some sturre be thrust downe openly : and ridyng 
on his iourney he was once shot with a dagge secretly. 

Thus he seyng no ende of displeasure in the Viceroy no 
hope of remedy in the Emperour, when he saw the Turke on 
the Sea, the French kyng in the field, Duke Maurice and the 
Marches vp, and a good part of Italy either risen, or ready to 
rise, thinkyng the tyme come of theyr most hope for helpe by 
the Princes, and of least feare of punishment by the Emperour, 
came forth to play his part also amongest the rest : who whe 
flying first to the Fre?ich kyng and after by hys counsell as it is 
sayd to the Turke^ is compelled to venture vppon many hard 
fortunes. And what succes he shall haue either of helpe in 
Fraunce or comfort of the Turke^ or mercy of the Emperour 
I can not yet write. But this last winter he hath lyen in the 
He of Cio^ and now I heare say this sommer he is on the Sea 
with 63. Gallyes of the Turkes at his commaundement, what 
enterprice he will make, or what successe he shall haue when 
we shall heare of the matter, I trust I shal either by some 
priuate letter from hence or by present talke at home fully 
satisfie you therin. 

^ Albert Marches of Bradenburge. 

ALbert Marches of Bradenburge in the begynnyng of his 
sturre .1552. wrote a booke and set it Print wherin he 
declared the causes of hys fallyng from the y^^. j^ 
Emperour wittely alledgyng common misery as a Albertes 
iust pretence of hys priuate enterprise makyng booke and 
other mens hurtes, his remedy to heale his own ["^ cotents 
sores and common wronges hys way to reuenge 
priuate displeasures : shewyng liberty to be lost, and Religion to 
be defaced, in all Germany^ lamentyng the long captiuitie of the 
two great Princes : and all the dispossessyng of hys father in 
law Duke Otto Henrick : sore enueyng; against the pride of the 
Spanyardes and the authoritie of straungers, which had now in 
their handes the scale of the Impiere, and in theyr g^j.^ ^^^^ 
swynge the doyng of all thynges, and at their iust com- 
comaundement all such mens voyces as were to be playntes. 



144 ^ discours and affaires 

called the Imperiall Dietes : copellyng the Germanes in their 
owne countrey to vse straunge toungs for their priuate sutes, 
wherin they could say nothyng at all, or nothyng to the 
purpose : vsing Camera hnperialh at Spires for a common key 
to open all mens coffers when they listed and these were the 
chiefest points in Marches booke. 

The Marches also sore enueyed agaynst Luice de Au'ila for 

The booke writyng, and agaynst the Emperour for suffring 

of Luice de such a booke as Luice de Auila wrote : wherein 

Auila. j.j^g honor of Germany and the Princes therof & 

by name Marches Albert^ who was in y^ first warres on the 

Emperours side, was so defamed to all the world : yea the 

Marches was so throughly chafed with this boke, y* when 

I was in the Emperours court he offred y^ combat with Luice de 

Autla^ which the Emperour for good wil and wise respectes 

would in no case admit. 

Not onely the Marches but also the Princes at the Diet of 
Passan this last yeare made a common complaint of this booke. 
I knew also the good old Prince Fredericke Pahgraue of y^ 
Rhene in September last when the Emperour lay at Landaw 
beside Spires^ goyng with his great army to Metz^ complayned 
to the Emperour hym selfe and to his counsell of a certaine 
spightfull place in that booke against him : The good prince 
told me this tale him selfe at hys house in Lleldibirge whe 
I caried vnto him kyng Edwardes letters, the Lord Ambassadour 
him selfe beyng sicke at Spires. 

And wise men say that the Duke of Bauiere, also is euill 

Th fi k contented for that which is written in that booke 

oi Bauiere agaynst his father when he deserued of the 

vnkyndly Imperials, to haue bene rewarded rather with 

handled. prayse and thankes then with any vnkynde note 

of blame and dishonour : of whom the Emperour in his warres 

agaynst the Lansgraue and the Duke of Saxonie receiued such 

kindnes, as no Prince in Germany for all respectes in y' case 

was able to affourde hym : as first he had his whole countrey of 

Bauiere for a sure footyng place, to begyn the warre in : and 

had also both men and vittaile of hym what he would, and at 

legth should haue had that countrey his onely refuge, if that in 

warre he had come to any vnderdele as he was like enough to 

haue done. But it was Gods secret will and pleasure to haue 



of the state of Germanie. 145 

the matter then go as it did : And for that cause men say Duke 
Albert of Bauiere that now is that hath maryed the Emperours 
niece, was more straunge this last yeare to the Emperour, when 
he was driuen to that extremitie to flye away on the night from 
Impurgc and was more famihar with duke Maurice,, and more 
frendly to the Princes confederate then els peraduenture he 
would haue done. 

And here a writer may learne, of Princes affaires a good 
lesson to beware of parcialitie either in flattery, or spight : For 
although thereby a man may please his owne Prince presently 
yet he may perchaunce as much hurt hym in the end as Luis de 
Au'ila dyd hurt y^ Emperour his master in writyng of this 
booke. In deede this booke was not y^ chiefest cause of this 
sturre in Germany : but sure I am that many Princes in 
Germany were sore agreeued w' it, as the Emperour wated both 
theyr hartes & their handes whe he stode in most nede of 
frendes : lust reprehension of all vices as folie, vniust dealyng, 
cowardice, and vicious liuyng, must be frely and franckly vsed, 
yet so with that moderate discression as no purposed malice or 
bet hatred, may seeme to be the breeder of any false reproch. 
Which humor of writyng followeth so full, in Paulus louius 
bookes, and that by that iudgement of his owne frendes, as 
I haue heard wise and well learned men say : that his whole 
study and purpose is spent on these pointes, to deface the 
Emperour, to flatter Fraunce,, to spite England, to belye 
Germany^ to prayse the Turke^ to keepe vp the Pope, to pull 
downe Christ and Christes Religion, as much as lyeth in him. 
But to my purpose agayne. 

The matters before of me briefly rehearsed, were at large 
declared in Marches Albertes booke : yet that you may know 
what secret workyng went before this playne writyng and open 
doyng, and because the Marches part hath bene so notable in 
all this pastime, I will by more particular circumstaunces lead 
you to this generall complaintes. 

There be at this day fiue Marchesses of Bradenburge : 
loachimus Elector, lohdnes his brother who for Ciuile seruice is 
Imperiall with might and mayne, & yet in Religion a Christian 
Prince with hart toung & honesty of lyfe : Doctour Christopher 
Monte,, both a learned and wise man, our kynges Maiestie 
seruaunt and his Agent in the affaires of Germany hath told me 



146 A discours and affaires 

diuers tymes, that this Marches lohn and the Duke of Swaburg^ 
be two of the worthiest Princes in all the Empier either in 
considering wisely, or executing courageously any great affaire. 
The thyrd is Marches George who dwelleth in Franconia not 
farre from Noremherg. The fourth Marches Albert the elder 

the mighty Duke of Prusia hable for his power 
Frnsia ^'^ cope with any Prince, and xv. yeares together 

he dyd stoutly withstand in continuall warre the 
strength of the kyng of Po/e. He hath so fully banished Papistry 
and so surely established the doctrine of the Gospell in Prusia, as 
no where hetherto in Germany is more diligently done, he loueth 
learnyng and honoreth learned men, and therfore .an. 1544. he 
founded a new Vniuersitie in Prusia called Mom Regius 
bryngyng thether with plentyfull thynges excellent learned men 
in all tounges and sciences. He is vncle to this notable 
Marches Albert, and lackyng children hath made him his heyre, 
and hath already inuestured hym in the Dukedome of Prusia. 

The fift is Marches Albert of whom 1 purpose to write on : 
whose father was Cassimirus descended from the kynges of Pole, 
and for his noblenes agaynst the Turke called Achilles Ger- 
manicus : and therfore might very well engender such a hoate 
Pirrhus. Marches Albert in hys young yeares as I haue heard 
wise men say, was rude in hys maners, nor did not shew any 
token of towardnes likely to attempt any such affaires as in 
deede he hath done. It might be either for the lacke of 
learnyng and good bringyng vp (a great and common fault in 
great Princes of Germany) or els for his bashfull nature in 

youth, which propertie Xenophon wittely fayned to 
Xenoph. a ^^ j^ Cyrus at like yeares iudgyng bashfulnes in 

youth to be a great token of vertue in age. 
Marches Albert is now at this day about xxxi. yeares old : 
of a good stature, neither very high, nor very low, thicke 
without grosenes : rather wel boned for strength, then ouerloded 
with flesh : his face fayre, bewtifull, brode, sterne, and manly : 
somewhat resemblyng my Lord Marches of Northt. when he 
was of the same yeares, his eyes great and rowlyng, makyng his 
countenance cherefull when he talketh : and yet whe he geueth 
eare to other he kepeth both a sadde looke without signe of 
suspicion, and also a well set eye without token of malice : 
And this behauiour I marked well in hym when I dyned in his 



of the state of Germanie. 147 

company at the siege of Met%^ in the County lohn of Nassaus 
tent, his voyce is great and his wordes not many, more ready to 
here other then to talke him selfe. And when he talketh he so 
frameth hys toung to agree with hart, as speakyng and 
meanyng seemeth to be alwayes at one in hym, and herein he 
may be well called the sonne of Achilles whom Homer wittely 
doth fayne to haue such a free open nature : whose saying in 
Greeke is excellent, but beyng turned in the wrong side into 
English, it shall lesse delight you yet thus much it signifieth : 

Who either in earnest or in sporty 
doth frame hym selfe after such sort : 

This thyng to thincke and that to tell^ 
my hart abhorreth as gate to hell. 

Horner^ meanyng hereby that a Prince of noble courage 
should haue his hart, his looke, hys toung, and his handes so 
alwayes agreeyng together in thinkyng, pretendyng, and 
speakyng, and doyng, as no one of these foure should at any 
tyme be at iarre with an other, which agreeyng together in 
their right tune, do make a pleasaunt melody in all mens eares 
both sweetest and loudest, called in English (honor) and most 
fitly in Greeke Ti/nrj^ the price and prayse of vertue. 

And though the Marches be free to say what he thinketh, 
yet he is both secret in purposyng Sz close in workyng what 
soeuer hee goeth about. Now very skillfull to do harme to 
others, and as ware to keepe hurte from hym selfe, yet first bet 
vnto it with his own rod : for in ye former warres of Germany 
being on ye Emperours side he fell into the handes of Duke 
John Fridericke of Saxony^ which chauce he is charged sore 
withall by Luice de Auila and that with so spightfull and open 
a mouth, as moued the Marches to offer hym the combat as 
I sayd before. He is now most courageous in hardest ad- 
uentures, most cherefull in present ieoperdy, and most paynefull 
in greatest labours : hauyng no souldier vnder him, that can 
better away with heate and cold or longer suffer hunger and 
thrist then he him selfe. His apparell is souldier like, better 
knowen by his fearce doynges then by his gay goyng : His 
souldiours feare him for his stoutnes, and loue him for his 
liberalitie : which winneth to him authoritie fit for a stout 
Captaine, and worketh in them obediece due to good souldiours. 

K 2 



148 A discours and affaires 

This last yeare a litle before hys agreement w* the Em- 
perour hys souldiours for lacke of money & meate fell to 
mutenyng and then fell the Marches fastest to hangyng, not 
hidyng him selfe for feare, but coming abroad with courage, did 
protest that neither the proudest should make misorder without 
punishmet nor yet the prodest should lacke as long as either he 
had peny in hys purse or loafe of bread in his tent. And after 
this sort of outward behauiour and inward condition in Marches 
Albert^ as I haue marked his person my selfe and as I haue 
learned hys doynges by such as by experience knew them well 
& for theyr honesty would reporte them right and now how 
he fell fro the Emperour I wil as briefly declare. 

The Marches serued the Emperour as I said before in the 
former warres in Germany agaynst the Lamgraue and the Duke 
of Saxony^ where he lost some honour and spent much money. 
The Emperour shortly after came downe hether to Bruxels 
hauyng the Marches in his company, who lookyng for a great 
recompcce of hys costes, and receiuyng litle, and seyng his 
honor not onely defaced in the field presently when he was 
taken prisoner, but also defamed for euer by writing cofirmed 
by the Emperours priuiledge to grow abroad in the world began 
to take the matter so vnkindly, that he left comming to the 
Court, and kept his owne house : rising euery day very early : 
and writing all the forenoone very diligently yet what he did no 
man knew : so that his absence breed a talke in the Court, and 
his soddein and secret study wrought a wonderfull gelousy of his 
doynges in the Emperours head : for he knew the Marches to 
haue courage enough to attcpt matters ouer great : and therfore 
sent Mosieur Granduill vnto the Marches house as of hym 
selfe to grope out his doynges, who declared vnto the Marches 
ye Emperours great goodwil towards hym, shewyng that his 
Maiestie was purposed to make him a great personage, & to 
begyn withall had in mynde to geue hym a goodly and profitable 
office in all his Mintes. 

The Marches aunswered roundly and plainly to the first, 
that the Emperour could not make him greater then he was, 
beyng Marches of Bradenburge : And as for y^ office in the 
Minte, he said smiling, he vsed not oft to tell his owne money, 
& therefore he thought not to make the accopt of others & 
so made nothing of the Emperours offer : onely hee desired 



of the state of Germanie. 149 

Grandeu'ill that the Emperour would geue him leaue to go home 
to his owne, which he obtained : And at his departure y^ 
Emperour gaue him a patent of 4000. crownes by ye yeare : 
But ye Marches was not well foure miles out of Bruxels^ when 
he sent the patent by post to y^ Emperour agayne saying : his 
Maiestie might better bestow it on some that had more neede 
of it. And in deede the Marches is as loth to receiue of his 
frendes by beneuolence, as he is ready to take fro hys enemies 
by violece which commeth somewhat of to stout a courage. 

Thus the Marches came home not best contented as it may 
well appeare : nor saw not the Emperour after till he met hym 
at the siege of Metz. Casmirus his father and the Marches hym 
selfe were great spenders and deepe detters : the one for his 
stoutnes in warre, the other for his lustines in youth. And 
therefore became quicke borrowers & slow payers, which thyng 
brought the Marches into such trouble as hee had with the City 
of Noremberge with his neighbours the Bishop of HerbipoHs and 
with his Godfather the Byshop of Pamberge. 

The Marches was no sooner come home, but these Byshops 
spying their tyme, when he had left the Emperours Court, and 
had quite lost or much lessened his frendship there, bega to 
trouble him with new suites for old debtes in Camera Imperially 
at Spires^ where the Marches because hee lacked either fauour 
in the Court, or experience in young yeares, or good matter on 
his side, was alwayes wrong to the worst, and to stufFe vp his 
stomach with more matter of vnkindnes against the Emperour, 
it is sayd that letters from the greatest in the Emperours Court 
were neuer lackyng at Spires to helpe forward proccsse agaynst 
the Marches. 

Shortly after this tyme bega the siege of Madenburg where 
Duke Maurice by the Emperour was appoynted generall. 
The Marches either weery of leesyng at home by sutes, or 
desirous to winne abroad by warre, or els purposing to practise 
some way to reuenge his displeasures made him ready to serue 
against Madenburg with 500. horse. And in the begynnyng 
of the spryng of the yeare .1551. he set forward and in his way 
went to visite Ernestus his cosin Duke oi Saxony brother to lolm 
Fridericke the prisoner with the Emperour. The selfe same 
time Lazarus Swendy was sent from the Emperour as Com- 
missary to duke Ernestus with earnest commaundement that the 



150 A discours and affaires 

Duke and all his, should receiue the doctrine of the Interim. 
And that I may accomplish my purpose, which is to paynt out 
as cruelly as I can, by writyng, the very Image of such persons 
as haue played any notable part in these affaires : and so you 
beyng absent shall with some more pleasure read their doynges. 
This Lazarus Swendy is a tall and a comely 
Lazarus personage, and beyng brought vp in learnyng 

vnder Oecolampadius at Basile makyng (as it was 
told me by an honest man that was throughly acquainted with 
hym there) more accompt of his tall stature, the of any bewty of 
the mynde, began to be wery of learnyng, and became desirous 
to beare some bragge in the world : and so made a souldiour, 
mard a scholer, & because he would make a lusty chaunge from 
the feare of God and knowledge of Christs doctrine, he fell to 
be a peruerse and bloudy Papist : euer at hand in any cruell 
execution agaynst the poore Protestantes as commonly all such 
do which so wittingly shake of Christ, and his Gospell : such 
a Commissary you may be sure would cruelly enough execute 
his office. 

Duke Ernestus told the Commissary that he his landes and 
lyfe were at his Maiesties commaundement, his Maiestie knew 
how quietly he bare him selfe alwayes, & therfore his trust was 
as he willingly serued the Emperour with true obedience : so he 
might as freely serue God with right conscience : for he would 
rather leaue hys landes and goodes and all to the Emperour, 
and go beg with his wife & children, then they would forsake 
the way of the Gospell which God hath commaunded them to 
follow. 

And marke how euidently God dyd declare both how much 
such a Comission sent out abroad in Germany agaynst him and 
hys word dyd displease him : and also how much the prayers 
and sighyng hartes of iust men do in tyme preuayle with hym : 
for as a man of much honesty & great knowledge in all the 
matters of Germany did tell me, assoone as this Commissio was 
once abroad, the practises in Germany began to styrre, yet not 
so openly as the Emperour might haue iust cause to withstand 
them, nor so couertly but he had occasion enough to mistrust 
them : and thereby he both lacked helpe for open remedy, and 
wanted no displeasure for inward grief. 

Duke Ernestus^ Marches Albert^ and Lazarus Swendy sate at 



of the state of Germanie. 1 5 1 

supper togethers : & as they were tallcyng of ye Interim^ the 
Marches soddenly brast out into a fury saying : what deuill ? 
will y^ Emperour neuer leaue striuyng with God in defacyng 
true Religio and tossyng the world in debarryng all mes 
liberties ? addyng, that he was a Prince vnkynd to euery man, 
and kept touch with no ma, that could forget all mens merites, 
& would deceiue whom soeuer he promised. 

The Duke liked not this hoate talke in hys house and at 
his table, but sayd : Cosin you speake but merely, and not as 
you thincke, adding much the prayse of the Emperours 
gentlenes shewed to many, and of his promise kept withall. 
Well (quoth the Marches) if he had bene either kynde where 
men haue deserued or would haue performed that hee promised : 
neither should I at this tyme accuse hym, nor you haue sit here 
in this place to defende hym, for he promised to geue me this 
house with all the landes that thereto belongeth : but ye be 
affrayd Cosin (quoth y^ Marches) lest this talke be to loud, and 
so heard to farre of: when in deede if the Commissarie here, 
be so honest a man as I take him, and so true to his master as 
he should be, he will not fayle to say what he hath heard, and 
on the same codition Commissary I bryng thee good lucke, and 
drancke of vnto hym a great glasse of wine. Lazarus 
Swendyes talke then sounded getly and quietly, for he was sore 
afFrayed of the Marches. But he was no soner at home with 
the Emperour, but word was sent straight to Duke Maurice 
that the Marches who was as the come to Madenhurg if he 
would needes serue there, should serue without wages. 

Ye may be sure the Marches was chafed a new with this 
newes who already had lost a great sort of hys men and now 
must leese hys whole labour thether, and all his wages there, 
besides the losse of hys honour in takyng such shame of hys 
enemies, & receiuyng such vnkyndnes of the Emperour. 

The Marches was not so greeued but Duke Maurice was as 
well contented with this commaundement : for euen then was 
Duke Maurice Secretary practisyng by Baron Hadeckes aduise 
with the French kyng for the sturre which dyd follow : and 
therfore was glad when he saw the Marches might be made hys 
so easely whiche came very soone to passe : so that the 
Marches for the same purpose in the ende of the same yeare 
went into Fraunce secretly, and was there with Shertly as 



152 A discours and affaires 

a commo Launce Knight, and named hymselfe Captaine Paw/, 
lest the Emperour spials should get out hys doynges : where by 
the aduise of Shertly hee practised with the French kyng for the 
warres which followed after. This matter was told vnto me by 
lohn Mecardus one of the chief Preachers in Augusta^ who 
beyng banished the Empiere, when and how ye shall heare 
after was fayne to flye, and was with Shertly the same yeare in 
Fraunce. 

The Marches came out of Fraunce in the begynnyng of the 
yeare .1552. and out of hand gathered vp men, but his purpose 
was not knowne, yet the Emperour mistrusted the matter, beyng 
at Insburg^ sent Do£i. Hasius one of hys counsell, to know 
what cause he had to make such sturre. This Do£f. Hasius 
was once an earnest protestat, and wrote a booke on that side, 
& was one of the Palsgraues priuy counsell : But for hope to 
clime higher, he was very ready to be entised by y^ Emperour 
to forsake first his master & then God : By who the Emperour 
knew much of all y^ Princes Protestants purposes, for he was 
commonly one whom they had vsed in all their Dietes and 
priuate practises : which thing caused the Emperour to seeke to 
haue hym : that by his head he might the easelyer ouerthrow 
the Protestantes, & with them God and hys word in all 
Ger}uany. 

This man is very lyke M. Parrie her graces cofferer in 
head, face, legges and bellye. What auswere Hasius had I can 
not tell, but sure I am the Marches then both wrote his booke 
of complayntes agaynst the Emperour, and set it out in Printe. 
And also came forward with banner displayed, and tooke 
Dillyng upon Danuby the Cardinall of Augustus towne, which 
Cardinall with a few Priestes fled in post to the Emperour at 
Inspurg^ where he found so cold cheare, and so litle comfort, 
that forthwith in all hast, he posted to Rome. 

Horsemen and footemen in great companies still gathered to 
the Marches : and in the ende of March he marched forward 
to Augusta., where he, Duke Maurice.^ the young LaTisgraue^ the 
duke of Mechelhurg., George., and Albert., with William Duke of 
Brunswycke., and other Princes confederate met together and 
besieged that Citie, Where I will leaue the Marches till I haue 
brought Duke Maurice and hys doinges to the same time, and 
to the same place. 



of the state of Germanie. 1 5 3 

H Duke Maurice. 

NOt many yeares agoe whole Saxony was chiefly vnder two 
Princes : the one duke lohn Fredericke borne Elector, 
who yet h'ueth, defender of Luther^ a noble setter out, and as 
true a follower of Christ and his Gospell : The other hys 
kynsman Duke George who is dead. Knight of the order of the 
Golden Fleece, a great ma of the Emperour, a mayntainer of 
Cocleus^ and a notable piller of Papistry. 

Duke lohn Fredericke is now 50. yeares ot age, so byg of 
personage as a very strong horse is scarse able to t j i F- - 
beare hym & yet is he a great deale bygger in all dericke 
kynde of vertues, in wisedome, iustice, liberalitie, Duke of 
stoutnes, temperancy in hym self, and humanitie o.xon. 
towardes others, in all affaires, and either fortunes vsing a singular 
trouth and stedfastnes : so that Luice de Auila^ and the Secretary 
of Ferrare who wrote the story of the first warres in Germany^ 
and professe to be his ernest enemies both for matters of state 
and also of Religion, were so compelled by his worthynes to 
say the truth as though theyr onely purpose had bene to write 
his prayse. He was Rue yeares prisoner in this Court, where 
he wan such loue of all men, as the Spanyardes now say : they 
would as gladly fight to set hym vp agayne as euer they dyd to 
pull hym downe : For they see that he is wise in all his doynges, 
iust in all hys dealynges, lowly to the meanest, princely with 
the biggest, and excellyng gentle to all, whom no aduersitie 
could euer moue, nor pollicy at any tyme entice to shrincke 
from God and his word. And here I must needes commend 
the Secretary of Ferrare^ who beyng a Papist, and writyng the 
history of the late warres in Germany^ doth not kepe backe 
a goodly testimony of Duke Frederickes constancy toward God 
and hys Religion. 

When the Emperour had taken the Duke prisoner he came 
shortly after before the Citie of JVitemberg : and beyng aduised 
by some bloudy cousellours that Duke Frederickes death should, 
by the terrour of it turne all the Protestantes from theyr 
Religion, caused a write to be made for the Duke to be executed 
the next mornyng vppon a solemne scaffold in the sight of his 
wife, children, and the whole Citie of lVitte7nberg. 

This write signed with the Emperours own hand was sent 



I 54 -^ disc ours and affaires 

ouer night to the Duke, who whe the write came vnto hym 
was in hys tent playing at Chesse with his Cosin and fellow 
prisoner the Lansgraue of Lithenberg^ and readyng it aduisedly 
ouer layd it downe quietly beside and made no countenance at 
all at ye matter, but sayd Cosin take good heede to your game, 
and returnyng to his play as quietly as though he had receiued 
some priuate letter of no great importance dyd geue the 
Lansgraue a trim mate. 

The Emperour (I doubt not) chiefly moued by God : 
secondly of his great wisedome and naturall clemency, when 
he vnderstode his merueilous constancie chaunged his purpose 
and reuoked the write, and euer after gaue him more honour, 
and shewed him more humanitie then any Prince that euer 
I haue read of haue hetherto done to his prisoner. 

He is also such a louer of learnyng as his Librarie furnished 
with bookes of all tounges and scieces, passeth all other 
Libraries which are yet gathered in Christendome : For my 
frend leron'iinus JVolfius who translated Defuosthenes out of Greeke 
into Lat'ine^ who had sene the Freeh kings Library at Augusta^ 
hath told me that though in six monethes he was not able onely 
to write out the titles of the bookes in the Fuggers Library, yet 
was it not so byg as Duke Frederickes was which he saw in 
Saxony. I thinke he vnderstandeth no straunge toung saue 
somewhat the Latin and a litle the French : And yet it is 
merueilous that my frend lohannes Sturmius doth report by 
writyng, what he heard Phillip Melanclhon at a tyme say of this 
noble Duke : that he thought the Duke did priuately read & 
write more euery day the did both he and D. Aurifaber which 
two were counted in all mens iudgementes to be the greatest 
readers and writers in all the Vniuersitie of JVittemberg. 

And as hee doth thus read with such diligence, euen so he 
can report with such a memory what soeuer he doth read, and 
namely histories, as at his table on euery new occasion he is 
accustomed to recite some new story which hee doth with such 
pleasure and vtterance as men be content to leaue their meat to 
heare him talke : and yet hee hym selfe is not disdaynfull to 
heare the meanest nor will ouerwhart any mans reason. He 
talketh without tauntyng, and is mery without scofFyng, 
deludyng no man for sport, nor nippyng no man for spight. 

Two kindes of men as his Preachers did tell me at Vilacho 



of the state of Germanie. 1 5 5 

he will neuer log suffer to be in his house : the one a conim5 
mocker, who for his pride thincketh so wel of his owne wit as 
his most delight is to make other me fooles, and where God of 
his prouidence hath geuen small wit he for his sport wil make it 
none, and rather then he should leese his pleasure, he would an 
other should leese his wit : as 1 heare say was once done in 
England, and that by the sufferaunce of such as I am sorry for 
the good wil I beare them to heare such a report : the other a 
priuy whisperer a pickthacke a tale teller medling so with other 
mes matters, as he findeth no leysure to looke to his owne : one 
such in a great house is able to turne and tosse the quietnes of 
all. Such two kinde of men sayth the Duke besides the present 
troubling of others neuer or seldome come to good end them 
selues. He loueth not also bold and thicke skinned faces, 
wherein the meanyng of the hart doth neuer appeare. Nor 
such hid talke as lyeth in wayte for other mens wittes. But 
would, y' wordes should be so framed with the toung, as they 
be alwayes ment in the hart. 

And therfore the Duke him selfe thincketh nothyng which 
he dare not speake, nor speaketh nothyng whiche 
hee will not do. Yet hauyng thoughtes grounded j^."" ^ ^^" 
vppon wisedome, his talke is alwayes so accom- 
panied with discression and his deedes so attende vppon true deal- 
yng, as he neither biteth with wordes, nor wringeth with deedes, 
except impudency follow the fault, which Xenophon wittely calleth 
the farthest point in al doyng, and then he vseth to speake home 
as he did to a Spanyard this last yeare at Villacho^ who beyng of 
the Dukes garde, when he was prisoner, and now preasyng to 
sit at his table when he was at libertie. Because many nobles of 
ye Court came that day to dine with the duke, The gentleman 
Husher gently desired the Spanyard to spare his rowme for that 
day for a great personage : But hee countenancyng a braue 
Spanish bragge, sayd, Seignor ye know me well enough, and so 
sat him downe. 

The Duke heard him, and preuentyng hys mans aunswere 
sayd : In deede you be to well knowen, by the same toke the 
last tyme you were here you tooke a gobblet away with you, & 
therfore when you haue dyned you may go without farewell, 
and haue leaue to come agayne when ye be sent for. In the 
meane while an honest man may occupy your place. But in 



156 A discours and affaires 

remembryng so good a Prince I haue gone to farre from my 
matter : And yet the remembraunce of him is neuer out of 
place, whose worthynes is neuer to be forgotten. 

Duke George of Saxony a litle before he dyed hauyng no 
child did disinherite Duke Henry his brother by his last wil 
because he was a Protestant, and gaue away his whole in- 
heritaunce to Ferclinando kyng of Romaines. 

But Duke lohn Fredericke by force of armes set and kept 
his Cosin Duke Henry in his right : And he dying soone after 
left behynd hym two sonnes Duke Maurice and Duke Augustus^ 
who likewise in their youth were defended in theyr right by 
the wisedome and force of Duke lohn Fredericke. Duke 
Maurice was brought vp in Duke lohn Frederickes house as if 
hee had bene hys owne sonne and maryed the Lansgraues 
daughter. 

After it came to passe that the Emperour attempted to 
establish Papistry in Germany with the sword, agaynst which 
purpose the Lamgraue and duke lohn Fredericke armed them 
selues not to resist the Emperour as the Papistes say, but to 
kepe Gods Religion vp, if any by violence would pull it downe, 
refusing neuer, but requiryng alwayes to referre them and theyr 
doctrine to a lawfull and free generall Councell where truth in 
Religion might be fully tryed in the hearyng of euen and 

* Y.V iaois *equall iudges and that by the touchstone of Gods 

Kai o/toiois, Canonicall Scriptures. 

waves vsed Duke Maurice in the begynnyng of his warre 

in T/mci- was suspected neither of the Lansgraue nor of 

dii/es m Duke Fredericke beyno; sonne in law to the one 

decidyng 1 • 1 1 • 1 1 1 

comoii con- ^^^^ nighe kmsman to the other and agreeyng m 

trouersies. Religio with both. Yea he was not onely not 

suspected, but as I heard skilful me say he was ready with 

his counsell & promised his ayde to helpe forward y^ enterprice, 

or els Hance Fredericke beyng a Prince of such wisedome would 

not haue left at home behind hym an enemy of such a force. 

Francisco Duke Maurice Agent with the Emperour was 

asked, I beyng by at Augusta^ how he could excuse his masters 

vnkindnes towards lohn Fredericke who had bene such a father 

vnto him. He graunted that Duke Fredericke had bene great 

frend vnto him, and might haue a greater if he had would, and 

the lesse strife had followed then did. And troth it is (sayd he) 



of the state of Germanie. i 57 

as Duke Fredericke kept my master in his right, so afterward he 
put him from part of his right, when in his yong yeares hee 
chopped and chaunged landes with him when he hsted : which 
thing my master comming to mans state much misliked, and 
oft complaynyng could neuer obtayne remedy therein. 
Kyndnes should rather haue kyndly encreased, so vnkyndly 
haue decayed specially when the one was trusted withall, and 
the other of such yeares, as he had neither wit to perceiue nor 
power to amend if any iniurie were offred vnto hym. Troth 
also it is that my master was brought vp in Duke Frederickes 
house : but he hath more cause to coplaine on them that 
brought him thether, then to thanke such as brought him vp 
there, where he had alwayes plentie of drinke and as much 
scant of good teachyng to come to such vertue and learnyng as 
dyd belong to a Prince of his state. 

Now whether this talke was altogether true, or, an ill 
excuse was made to couer a foule fact I can not tell : but sure 
I am Francisco sayd thus. 1 haue heard wise men say that it is 
not lyke, that for such a priuate strife Duke Maurice would 
haue so forsaken not onely his frend and kinsman, but also his 
father in law or would for the losse a litle, or rather for the 
chaiige of a peece haue so hassarded his whole estate, which 
was once in the first warre all gone saue Lypsia^ and one other 
towne, beside the losse of loue in whole Ger?nany and his good 
name amongest all Protestantes, in the middest of whom all hys 
liuinges do lye. 

Well surely there was some great cause that could sturre vp 
so great a strife, and that was as wise men and 
wel willyng on Duke Maurice side in myne Maurice 
opinion haue truly iudged, the foule vice of am- left hys 

bition. dearest 

O Lord how many worthy men hath this one f^jj j^ with 
vice beareft from good common weales, which for the Empe- 
all other respectes were most vnworthy of that ^?^^^- ■ 
end they came vnto. My hart weepes for those 
noble men of England, whose valiantnes in warre, whose wise- 
dome in peace this Realme shall want and wayle and wish and 
wish for in tyme to come, which of late by this onely vice haue 
bene taken from vs. Examples, lesse for our grief and as fit 
for this purpose be plenty enough in other states. 



158 A discours and affaires 

Ouer many experiences do teach vs, though a Prince be 
wise stout liberall gentle mercyfull and excellently learned, 
though he deserue all the prayse, that vertue nature and fortune 
ca afFourd him, yea that wit it selfe can wish for as we read that 
noble luUus Ct^sar had, and that by the testimony of those that 
loued him not, neuertheles if these two foule verses of 
Euripides. 

Do right alway and wrong refraine^ 
Except onely for rule and raigne. 

If these verses say I do not onely sound well in his eare, but 
sincke deepe also in his hart, surely there is neither kindred, 
frendship, law, othe, obedience, countrey, God, nor his owne 
life, but he will hassard to leese all rather then to pursue this 
foule vice : For Polynices^ for whom this verse was first made in 
Greeke^ did fill not onely his owne countrey full of dead 
carcasses, but also whole Greece full of weepyng widdowes. 
And desar for whom the same verse was turned into Latin did 
not onely turne vpside down the goodliest common wealth that 
euer GOD suffred to stand vpon the earth : but also tossed 
the whole world with battayle and slaughter euen almost from 
the sunne setting vnto the sunne rising. And did not stop to 
bryng souldiours to do mischief further then any man now dare 
iourney by land either for pleasure or profite. 

But see the fruite and end which this vngodly great growing 
bringeth men vnto : Both these Princes were slaine the one by 
his brother the other by his owne sonne, of whom in life, 
nature & benefites would they should haue taken most cofort of. 
But men that loue to clime to hye haue alwayes least feare, and 
therefore by reason fall most soddenly and also fardest downe : 
yea the very bowghes that helped hym vp will now whip 
him in fallyng downe : For who so in climyng trusteth when 
he is goyng vp any bough at all ouer much, though hee seeme 
to tread neuer so surely vppon it yet if he once begyn to slyp 
the same selfe bough is reddiest to beat him that seemed before 
surest to beare him. Examples hereof be seen dayly and 
forgotten hereby. 

An other mischief chaunceth commonly to these high 
climers : that they will heare no man so gladly as such which 
are euer hartenyng them to clime still. If wise and good men 



of the state of Germanie. 159 

durst speake more freely then they do : great men should do 
both others and them selues lesse harme the they are wont to 
do. He hateth him selfe and hasteth his owne hurt that is 
content to heare none so gladly as either a foole or a flatterer. 
A wonderfull follie in a great man him selfe and some peace of 
miserie in a whole common wealth, where fooles chiefly, and 
flatterers may speake freely what they will and wise men and 
good men shal commonly be shent, if they speake what they 
should. 

And how commeth this to passe ? it is the very plague of 
God for great mens sinnes, and the plaine high way to their 
iust punishment. And when God sufFreth them so willingly 
to graunt freedome to follie and so gladly to geue hearyng to 
flattery : But see when the great man is gone and hath playd 
his part, fooles and flatterers be stil vpon the stage. Such liue 
in all worldes, such laugh in all miseries : such Daui and Get^e^ 
haue alwayes the longest partes : and go out who shal they tary 
in place still. I know also many a good rnitio^ which haue 
played long partes whom I pray God kepe long still vpon the 
stage. And I trust no man will be miscontent with my generall 
saying except conscience do pricke him of his owne priuate ill 
doyng. 

There be common wealthes where freedome in speakyng 
truth hath kept great me from boldnes in doyng ill : for free 
and frendly aduise is the trimmest glasse that any great man 
can vse to spye his owne fault in : which taken away they 
runne commonly so farre in foule doyng, as some neuer stay 
till they passe all remedy saue onely to late repentaunce. And 
as I would haue no flattery but wish for freedome : So in no 
wise do I commend ouermuch boldnes, or any kind of rayling. 
But that libertie in speakyng should be so mingled with good 
will and discretion, as no great person should be vnhonorably 
spoken vpo, or any meane man touched out of order either for 
sport or spite : as some vnquiet heades neuer contented with 
any state are euer procuryng either secretly with raylyng billes, 
or openly with tauntyng songes, or els some scoffing common 
play. 

An other kynd of to bold talkers surpasse all these selly 
rumors, who are called, and so will be, commo discoursers of all 
Princes affaires. These make a great accompt of them selues 



i6o A disc ours and affaires 

and will be commonly formost in any prease, and lustly with 
out blushing shoulder backe others : These will seeme to see 
further needes, in any secret affayre then the best and wisest 
cousellor a Prince "hath. These be the open flatterers and 
priuy mislikers of all good counsellors doynges. And one 
common note, the most part of this brotherhode of discoursers 
commoly cary with them where they be bold to speake : to like 
better Tullies Offices, then S. Paules Epistles : and a tale in 
Bocace^ then a story of the Bible. 

And therfore for any Religion earnest setters forth of 
present tyme : with consciences confirmed with Machiauelles 
doctrine to thincke say and do what soeuer may serue best for 
profite or pleasure. But as concernyng flatterers and raylers to 
say mine opinion whether I like worse, surely as I haue read 
few men to haue bene hurt with bitter poysons : so haue 
I heard of as itvf great men to haue bene greatly harmed with 
sharpe talke : but are so ware therin, that commonly they wil 
complaine of theyr hurt before they feele harme. And flattery 
agayne is so sweete, that it pleaseth best, when it hurteth most, 
and therfore is alwayes to be feared : because it alwayes de- 
lighteth, but in lookyng aside to these hye climers, I haue 
gone out of the way, of mine owne matter. 

To returne to Duke Maurice^ he saw that Duke Frederickes 
fallyng might be his rising, and perchaunce was moued with 
some old iniuries, but beyng of young yeares and of nature full 
of desire and courage he was a trimme pray for old practises 
to be easely caryed away with fayre new promises sounding 
altogether to honor and profite, and so he forsoke his father and 
his frend, and became wholy the Emperours till hee had brought 
both them into prison. Duke Fredericke was taken in the field 
and so became the Emperours iust prisoner. Yet as long as the 
Lansgraue was abroad, the Emperour thought his purpose neuer 
atchieued, and therefore practised a new with duke Maurice to 
get him also into his hads. 

Duke Maurice with loachim Elector of Bradenburge became 
meanes betwixt the Lansgraue and the Emperour. Conditions 
both of mercy from the one, and of amendes from the other 
were drawen out. Maurice and the Marches bound them 
selues sureties to the Lasgraues children, for their fathers safe 
returne : for amongest the rest of coditions this was one of the 



of the state of Germanie. 1 6 1 

chiefest, that he should come in no prison. And so at Hala in 
Saxony^ he came boldly to the Emperours presence, who 
receiued him not very cherefully, nor gaue him not his hand 
which in Germany is the very token of an assured recon- 
siliation. 

The Duke of Alua made the Lansgraue a supper, and called 
also thether Duke Maurice^ and the Marches of Bj-adeburg 
where they had great chere : but after supper it was told Duke 
Maurice and the Marches, that they might depart for the 
Lansgraue must lodge there that night. 

On the morrow, they reasoned of the matter wholly to this 
purpose that the Emperours promises not the Lansgraues person 
ought to be kept. Aunswere was made that the Emperour 
went no further then conditions led him which were that he 
should not be kept in euerlastyng prison : and they agayne 
replyed he ought to be kept in no prison. When I was at 
V'lllacho in Carinthia I asked Duke Frederickes Preacher what 
were the very wordes in Dutch ^ wherby the Lansgraue agaynst 
his lookyng was kept in prison. He sayd the fallacion was very 
pretty and notable and tooke his penne and wrote in my booke 
the very wordes wherin the very controuersie stode, duke 
Maurice sayd it was. 

Nicht in einig gefengknes .i. Not in any prison. 
The Imperials sayd no, but thus. 

Nicht in ewig gefengknes .i. Not in euerlastyng prison. And 
how soone einig^ may be turned into ewig^ not with scrape of 
knife, but with the least dash of a pen so that it shall neuer be 
perceiued, a man that will proue, may easely see. 

Moreouer Luice d^Auila in his booke doth reioyce that the 
Lansgraue did so deceaue hym selfe with his owne conditions in 
makyng of which as d^ Auila saith, he was wont to esteeme his 
own wit aboue all other mens. Well, how so euer it came to 
passe the Lansgraue was kept in prison. And from that houre 
Duke Maurice fell from the Emperour thinckyng hym selfe 
most vnkyndly hadled, that he by whose meanes chiefly the 
Emperour had won such honor in Saxony^ must now be rewarded 
with shame in all Germany^ and be called a traytor to GOD, 
and hys countrey, his father, and his frend. And though he 
was greeued inwardly at the hart, yet he bare all thynges 
quietly in coutenance purposing though he had lost will yet 



1 62 A discours and affaires 

would he not leese his profite, and so hiding his hurt presently, 
whilest some fitter time should discouer some better remedy, 
he went with the Emperour to Augusta^ where accordyng to 
hys promise he was made Elector. Yet the same night after 
hys solemne creation, two verses set vppon his gate might more 
greue him, then all that honour could delight hym, which were 
these. 

Sen DiiXy seu Princeps^ sen nunc dicaris Ele£lor. 
Mauricij Patrue prodltor ipse tui. 

After that he had gotten that he looked for, he gat him 
home into his countrey : from whence afterward the Emperour 
with no pollicie could euer bryng hym, he alwayes alledgyng, 
the feare that he had of some sturre by Duke Freder'ickes 
children. 

Hetherto the Ger malms much mislyked the doynges of Duke 
Maurice. But after that he had felt him selfe so vnkyndly 
abused as for his good seruice to be made the betrayer of his 
father, he tooke such matters in hand & brought them so to 
passe, as he recouered the loue of his countrey and purchased 
such hate of his enemyes, as the Spanyardes tooke their dis- 
pleasure from all other, and bestowed wholly vppon the Duke 
Maurice : and yet he bare him selfe with such wit, and courage 
agaynst them, as they had alwayes cause to feare hym and neuer 
occasion to contemne hym : Yea if he had liued he would 
sooner men thinke haue driuen all Spanyardes out of Germany^ 
then they should haue hurt hym in Saxony., for he had ioyned 
vnto him such strength, and there was in him such pollicie, as 
they durst neuer haue come vppon him with power, nor neuer 
should haue gone beyond hym with wit. He had so displeased 
the Emperour as he knew wel neither his lades : nor his life 
could make amendes whe x. poundes of Benefites which he 
was able to do, could not way with one ounce of displeasure 
that he had already done : and therefore neuer after sought to 
seeke his loue which he knew could neuer be gotten : but gaue 
him selfe wholy to set vp Maxijnilid., who beyng him selfe of 
great power, and of all other most beloued for his worthynes in 
all Germany^ and now vsing the head and hand of duke Maurice 
and his frendes, and hauyng the helpe of as many as hated the 
Spanyardes.^ that is to say almost all Protestantes and Papistes to 



of the state of Germanie. 163 

in Germany^ he should easely haue obtained what soeuer he had 
gone about. But that bonde is now broken : for euen this day 
when I was writyng this place, came word to this Court, that 
Marches Albert^ and Duke Maurice had fought, where the 
Marches had lost the field, and Duke Maurice had lost his life : 
which whole battaile because it is notable, I would here at 
length describe, but that I should wander to farre from my 
purposed matter : and therfore I in an other place, or els some 
other with better oportunitie shall at large report the matter. 

Ye see the cause why and the time whe Duke Maurice fell 
from the Emperour, And because he was so notable a Prince, 
I will describe also the maner how he proceded in all these 
doyngs, as I learned amongest them that did not greatly loue 
him. And because it were small gayne to flatter him that is 
gone, and great shame to lye vppon him that is dead, for 
pleasyng any that be alyue, I so will report on hym as his 
doynges since my commyng to this Court haue deserued. 

He was now of the age of xxxij. yeares well faced in 
countenance complection fauour and beard not much vnlike to 
Syr Rajfe Sadler but some deale higher, and well and strong 
made to beare any labour and payne. He was once (men say) 
geuen to drinckyng, but now he had cleane left it, contented 
with small diet and litle sleepe in this last yeares, and therefore 
had a wakyng and workyng head : and became so witty and 
secret, so hardy and ware, so skillfull of wayes, both to do 
harme to others, and keepe hurt from him selfe, as he neuer 
tooke enterprise in hand wherein he put not his aduersary 
alwayes to the worse. And to let other matter of Germany 
passe, euen this last yeare within the compasse of eight ^n/ 
monethes he professed him selfe open enemy agaynst foure the 
greatest powers that I know vpon earth. The Turke^ the 
Pope^ the Etnperour^ & the French king, & ob- 
tained his purpose and wan prayse agaynst the all Turke. 

foure : For he in person and pollicie & courage dis- 
patched the Turkes purpose and power this last yeare in Hungary. 

The Councell at Trent which the Pope & the Emperour 

went so about to establish he onely brought to ^, 

C£ . a ^\. •- ^L The Pope, 

none ettect : hrst by open protestatio agaynst that ^ 

Councell, and after by his commyng with his army to Insburge^ 

he brought such feare to the Bishops there gathered, that they 

L 2 



164 A disc ours and affaires 

ran euery one farre away fro thence, with such speed as they 
neuer durst hetherto speake of meeting there agayne. And 
The Em- how he delt with ye Emperour, both in forcyng 
perour. him to flye from Insburge^ and compellyng him to 

such a peace at Passo^ my whole Diariu?n shall at full instruct 
you. 

And of all other he serued the Freeh kyng best, who fayre 
P , , pretendyng the deliuery of the ij. Princes captiues, 

and the maintenaunce of Religion & libertie in 
Germany^ purposed in very deede nothyng els, but y^ destruction 
of the Emperor, & the house of Austria : for what cared he for 
religion abroad, who at home not onely followeth none him 
selfe priuately in his life, but also persecuteth the trouth in 
others openly with the sword. But I do him wrong to say he 
followeth none, who could for his purpose be cotent at one 
time to embrace all : & for to do hurt enough to the Emperor 
would become at once by solemne league, Protestat, Papish, 
Turkish, & deuillish. But such Princes that cary nothyng els 
but the name of bearing vp Gods word, deserue the same 
prayse and the same end that that Prince dyd, who semed so 
ready to beare vp y*^ Arke of the Lord, & yet otherwise 
pursued Gods true Prophetes & his word. 

Agayne how much the Freneh kyng cared for the libertie of 
Germany he well declared in stealyng away so vnhonorably from 
the Empire the Citie of Met%. But he thinckyng to abuse 
Duke Maurice for his ambitious purpose, in very deede & in 
the end Duke Maurice vsed him as he should : for first he made 
him pay well for y^ whole warres in Germany as it is sayd 
.200000. crownes a moneth : And after when the French kyng 
fell to catching of Cities, duke Maurice tendryng y^ state of his 
countrey brake of with hym, and began to parle w^ the good 
kyng of Romanes at Luiz^ which thyng whe the Freeh kyng 
heard came within ij. miles of the Rhene^ he straight way hyed 
more hastly & with more disorder, for all his great hast, out of 
Germany^ as they say that were there, then the Emperour being 
sicke without company and pressed by his enemy dyd go from 
Insburg. 

And see how nobly Duke Maurice did which for y^ loue of 
his coutrey, durst fall from the Freeh kyng before he atchieued 
any thyng agaynst the Emperour. And rather the Germany 



of the state of Germanie. 1 6 5 

should leese her Cities so by the French king, he had leuer 
hassard, both the leesing of his enterprice, & also the leauyng 
of hys father in law still in prison with the Emperour. But 
as he had wit to take money piety of the French kyng : so had 
he wit also to furnish him selfe so fro home as he durst first 
fall out with the French kyng, & durst also after to set vpo the 
Emperour till he had brought his honest purpose to passe. For 
there is not almost any in this Court but they will say duke 
Maurice did honestly in deliuering his father by strong hand, 
which before left no fayre meane vnproued to do that humbly 
by entreaty, which after, was copelled to bryng to passe stoutly 
by force. And I pray you first marke well what he did and 
then iudge truly if any thing was done that he ought not to 
do. 

For first he him selfe with y^ Marches of Bradenhurge most 
humbly by priuate sute laboured for the Lansgraues deliuery 
ofFring to the Emperour, princely ofi^ers, and not to be refused : 
as a huge summe of money : a fayre quantitie of great 
ordinaunce, certaine holdes of his, some to be 
defaced, some geue to y^ Emperour : and also Maurice 
personall pledges of great houses for hys good offer for the 
haberaunce all the residue of his life. Lasgraues 

After whe this sute was not regarded they 
againe procured all y^ Princes & states of Germany beyng at y^ 
Diet at Augusta .an. 1548. to be huble intercessors for him, 
ofFring y^ selfe same coditions rehearsed before addyng this more 
to become sureties them selues in any bande to his Maiestie for 
his due obedience for tyme to come. 

Thirdly by the Prince of Spa^nc Duke Maurice neuer left 
to entreat y^ Emperour, yea he was so carefull of ye matter, 
that his Ambassadors followed the Prince euen to his shipping 
at Genoa : who had spoke ofte presently before, & wrote 
earnestly fro thence to his father for ye Lansgraues deliuery, & 
it would not be. And wise me may say it was not ye wisest 
deede that euer ye Emperor did, to deny ye prince this sute : 
for if ye Prince had bene made ye deliuerer of ye ij. princes out 
of captiuity, he had won therby such fauor in all Germany^ as 
w'out all doubt he had bene made coadiutor w^ the k. of 
Romalnes his vncle. And afterward ye Emperor. Which thing 
was lustly denyed to ye Emperor by the Electors, though he 



1 66 A discours and affaires 

laboured in y* matter so sore as he neuer dyd in any other 
before. 

Fourthly this last yeare a litle before the open warres duke 
Maurice procured once agayne, not onely all y^ Princes and 
free Estates of Germany^ but also the kyng of Romaines Ferdi- 
nand^ Maxifnillan his Sonne king of Boeme^ the kyng of Pole^ 
the kyng of Demarke the king of Sweden^ to send also their 
Ambassadors for this suite, so that at once xxiiij. Ambassadours 
came before the Emperour together at Insburge. To whom 
whe the Emperour had geuen very fayre wordes in effect 
cocernyng a double meanyng aunswere, & that was this : That 
it did him good to see so noble an Ambassage at once. And 
therfore so many Princes should well vnderstand yt he would 
make a good accompt of their sute. Neuertheles because duke 
Maurice was the chiefest partie herein he would with speede 
send for him, and vse his head for the better endyng of this 
matter. But Duke Maurice seyng that all these Ambassadors 
wet home without him, and that the matter was referred to his 
present talke who was neuer heard in the matter before, he 
wisely met with this double meaning aunswere of the Empe- 
rours with a double meanyng replica agayne : for he promised 
the Emperour to come, and at last in deede came so hastly and 
so hotely as the Emperour could not abide the heat of his 
breath : For when duke Maurice saw that all humble sutes, all 
quiet meanes were spent in vayne, & had to beare him iust 
witnes therin all y<^ Princes of Germany : First with close 
pollicie, after open power both wittely and stoutly, he atchieued 
more by force then he required by suite : For the Emperour 
was glad to condiscend (which surely in an extreme aduersitie 
was done like a wise Prince) without money, without artillery, 
without defacyng of holdes, w^out receiuyng of pledges, to send 
the Lansgraue home, honorably accopanied with (at the Empe- 
rors charges) the nobilitie of Brabant Sc Flaunders. 

This last day I dined with the Ambassadour of Venice in 
copany of many wise heades, where duke Maurice was greatly 
praysed of some for his wit : of other for y^ execution of his 
purposes. Well sayth a lusty Italian Priest, I can not much 
prayse his wit, which might haue had the Emperour in his 
handes & would not. Loe such be these Machiaueh heades, 
who thincke no ma to haue so much wit as he should, except 



of the state of Germanie. 1 67 

he do more mischief then he neede. But Duke Maurice 
purposing to do no harme to the Emperour, but good to his 
father in law, obtainyng y^ one pursued not the other. Yea 1 
know it to be most true whe we fled from Imburg so hastly, 
Duke Maurice sent a post to y^ good kyng of Romanes^ h bad 
him will the Emperor to make no such speede for he purposed 
not to hurt his person : but to heipe his frend, whereupon the 
Diet at Passo immediatly folowed. 

I c5mend rather the iudgement of lobn Baptist Gascaldo^ the 
Emperours man and y^ kyng of Romanes generall /^/^„ Bap- 
m Hungary^ who is not wont to say better, or tist Gas- 
loue any ma more then he should specially Ger- ^"■^^''^ 
maines^ & namely Protestantes. And yet this last winter he 
wrote to the Emperour that he had marked Duke Maurice well 
in all his doynges agaynst the Turke^ and of all men that euer 
he had sene, he had a head to forecast the best with pollicie and 
wit, and a hart to set vppon it with courage and speed, & also 
a discressio to stay most wisely vpon the very pricke of 
aduauntage. 

Marches Marignan told some in this Court foure yeares 
ago that Duke Maurice should become the greatest enemy to 
the Emperour that euer the Emperour had : which thing he 
iudged (I beleue) not of any troublesome nature which he saw 
in Duke Maurice^ but of the great wronges that were done to 
Duke Maurice^ knowyng that he had both wit to perceiue them 
quietly and also a courage not to beare them ouer long. 

Some other in this court that loued not duke Maurice^ h 
hauyng no hurt to do him by power, went about to say him 
some for spight & therfore wrote these two spightfull verses 
agaynst him. 

lugiirtham Maurus prodit Mauricius vltra, 
Henricum, Patruum^ Socerum^ cum Ccesare^ Galium. 

He that gaue me this verse added thereunto this his iudge- 
ment, well (sayth he) he that could finde in his hart to betray 
his frend Duke Henry of Brunswicke^ his nigh kinsman Duke 
Fredericke^ his father in law the Lansgraue^ his soueraigne Lord 
the Emperour, his confederate the French kyng, breakyng all 
bondes of frendshyp, nature, law, obediece, and othe, shall 



1 68 A discours and ajf aires 

besides all these, deceaue all men if at length he do not deceaue 

hym selfe. This verse and this sentence, the one made of 

spight, the other spoken of displeasure be here commended as 

men be afFectioned. For my part as I can not accuse him for 

all : so will I not excuse him for part. And yet since I came 

to this Court I should do him wrong if I did not 

^^^^ ' cofesse that which as wise heades as be in this 

Court haue iudged on him, euen those that for 

countrey & Religion were not his frendes, that is, to haue 

shewed him selfe in all these aftayres betwixt the Emperour and 

him : first, humble in intreatyng, diligent in pursuyng, witty in 

purposing, secret in workyng, fearce to foresee by open warre, 

ready to parle for common peace, wise in choyse of conditions, 

and iust in performyng of couenaunts. 

And I know he offended the Emperour beyond all remedy 
of amedes : So would I be loth to see as I haue once sene, his 
Maiestie fall so agayne into any enemyes handes : leste perad- 
uenture lesse gentlenes would be found in him then was found 
in Duke Maurice^ who when he was most able to hurt, was 
most ready to hold hys had and that agaynst such an enemy, as 
he knew well would neuer loue him, and should alwayes be of 
most power to reuenge. If Duke Maurice had had a Machi- 
auels head or a cowardes hart, he would haue worne a bloudyer 
sword the he did, which he neuer drew out in all these sturres, 
but once at y^ Cluce Sz y^ was to saue y^ Emperors me. 

Hetherto I haue followed the order of persons which hath 
caused me somewhat to misorder both tyme & matter, yet where 
diuers great affaires come together, a man shall write confusedly 
for the matter, & vnpleasantly for ye reader, if he vse not such 
an apt kinde of partitio as y^ matter will best affourde, which 
thyng (Plato sayth) who ca not do, knoweth not how to write. 
Herein Herodotus deserueth in myne opinion a great deale more 
prayse then Thucidide:^ although he wrote of a matter more 
confused for places, time, and persons, then the other did. 

In this point also Appianus Alexandrinus is very com- 
mendable, and not by chaunce but by skil doth follow this order, 
declaryng in his Prologue iust causes why he should do so. 
Our writers in later tyme, both in Latin h other tounges 
commonly confound to many matters together, and so write well 
of no one. But see master Astley I thincking to be in some 



of the state of Germame. 169 

present talke with you, after our old wont do seeme to forget 
both my selfe and my purpose. 

For the rest that is behind I will vse a grose & homely kind 

of talke with you : for I will now as it were cary you, out of 

England with me, & will lead you the same way that I went 

euen to the Emperours Court beyng at Augusta .an. 1550. 

And I will let you see in what case it stode, and what thyngs 

were in doyng when we came first thether. After I wil cary 

you and that a pace, because the chiefest matters be throughly 

touched in this my former booke, through the greatest affaires of 

ij. yeares in this Court. Yet in order till we haue brought 

Duke Maurice (as I promised you) to ioyne with Marches 

Albert in besiegyng Augusta. And the because priuy practises 

brast out into open sturres I might better marke thynges dayly 

then I could before. And so we will depart with the Emperour 

from Insburg., and see dayly what chaunces were wrought 

by feare and hope in this Court till hys Maiestie left 

the siege of Metz^ and came downe hether to Bruxels : 

where then all things were shut vp into secret practises 

till lastly of all, they brake forth into new mis- 

chiefes, betwixt the Emperour and Fraunce 

in Picardyy Sc also betwixt Duke Maurice^ 

and the Marches in hyghe Germany 

which thynges I trvist some other 

shall marke and describe a great 

deale better then I am 

hable to doe. 



fl F I N I S. 



THE 

SCHOLEM ASTER 

Or plaine and perjite way of tea- 
chyng children^ to vnderstand^ write, and 
speake^ the Latin tong, but specially purposed 
for the priuate brynging vp of youth in lentle- 
men and Noble mens houses^ and commodious 
also for all such^ as haue forgot the Latin 
tonge, and would^ by themselues, with- 
out a Scholemaster^ in short tyme, 
and with small paines, recouer a 
sufficient hahilitie, to vnder- 
stand, write, and 
speake Latin. 

H By Roger Ascham. 

11 An. 1570. 

AT LONDON. 

Printed by lohn Daye, dwelling 

ouer Aldersgate. 

H Cum Gratia & Priuilegio Regime Maiestatis, 
per Decennium. 



fT To the honorable Sir William 

Cecill Knight, principall Secretarie to 
the Quenes most excellent Maiestie. 

SOndry and reasonable be the causes why learned men haue vsed 
to offer and dedicate such workes as they put abrode^ to some 
such personage as they th'inke fittest^ either in respeSl of abilitie of 
defense^ or skill for iugement^ or priuate regard of kindenesse and 
dutie. Euery one of those considerations^ Syr, moue me of right to 
offer this my late husbands M. Aschams worke vnto you. For 
well remembryng hotv much all good learnyng oweth vnto you for 
defense therof as the Vniuersitie of Cambrige, of which my said 
late husband luas a inember, haue in chosing you their worthy 
Chaunceller acknotuledged, and how happily you haue spent your 
time in such studies & caried the vse therof to the right ende, to 
the good seruice of the Quenes Maiestie and your contrey to all our 
benefites, thyrdly how much my sayd husband was many wayes 
bound vnto you, and how gladly and comfortably he vsed in hys lyfe 
to recognise and report your goodnesse toward hym, leauyng with me 
then hys poore widow and a great sort of orphanes a good comfort in 
the hope of your good continuance, which I haue truly found to me 
and myne, and therfore do duely and dayly pray for you and 
yours : I could not finde any man for whose name this booke was 
more agreable for hope \_of^ protection, more mete for submission to 
iudgement, nor more due for respe6l of worthynesse of your part and 
thankefulnesse of my husbandes and myne. Good I trust it shall do, 
as I am put in great hope by many very well learned that can well 
iudge therof. Mete therefore I compt it that such good as my 
husband was able to doe and leaue to the common weale, it should 



1 74 Preface. 

he receiued vnder your name^ and that the zvorld should owe thanke 

therof to you^ to whom my husband the authour of it was for good 

receyued of you^ most dutiefully bounden. And so besechyng you^ to 

take on you the defense of this hooke^ to auaunce the good that may 

come of it by your allowance and furtherance to publike vse and 

henefite^ and to accept the thankefull recognition of me and rny poore 

children^ trustyng of the continuance of your good me- 

morie of M. Ascham and his^ and dayly commen- 

dyng the prosperous estate of you and yours to 

God whom you serue and whoes you 

are^ I rest to trouble you. 

Your humble Margaret 
Ascham. 



pMfi A Prceface to the 
Reader, 



WHen the great plage was at London, the yeare 1563. 
the Quenes Maiestie Queene Elizabeth^ lay at her 
Castle of Windsore: Where, vpon the 10. day of December, 
it fortuned, that in Sir JVill'imn Cicelh chamber, hir Highnesse 
Principall Secretarie, there dined togither these personages, 
M. Secretarie him selfe, Syr TViU'iam Peter^ Syr J. Mason^ 
D. IVotton^ Syr Richard SackuUle Treasurer of the Exchecker, 
Syr Walter Mildmaye Chauncellor of the Exchecker, iVI. 
Haddon Master of Requestes, M. John Astely Master of the 
lewell house, M. Bernard Hampton^ M. Nicasins^ and jf. 
Of which number, the most part were of hir Maiesties most 
honourable priuie Counsell, and the reast seruing hir in verie 
good place. I was glad than, and do reioice yet to remember, 
that my chance was so happie, to be there that day, in the 
companie of so manie wise & good men togither, as hardly 
than could haue beene piked out againe, out of all England 
beside. 

M. Secretarie hath this accustomed maner, though his head 
be neuer so full of most weightie affaires of the Realme, yet, at 
diner time he doth seeme to lay them alwaies aside: and findeth 
euer fitte occasion to taulke pleasantlie of other matters, 
but most gladlie of some matter of learning: wherein, he will 
curteslie heare the minde of the meanest at his Table. 

Not long after our sitting doune, I haue strange newes 
brought me, sayth M. Secretarie, this morning, that diuerse 
Scholers of Eaton, be runne awaie from the 
Schole, for feare of beating. Whereupon, M. 
Secretarie tooke occasion, to wishe, that some 



M. Secreta- 



176 A F reef ace to the Reader. 

more discretion were in many Scholemasters, in vsing corredtion, 

than commonlie there is. Who many times, punishe rather, 

the weakenes of nature, than the fault of the Scholer. Whereby, 

many Scholers, that might else proue well, be driuen to hate 

learning, before they Icnowe, what learning meaneth : and so, 

are made willing to forsake their booke, and be glad to be put 

to any other kinde of liuing. 

M. Peter^ as one somewhat seuere of nature, said plainlie, 

,. _ ^ that the Rodde onelie, was the sworde, that must 

M. Petev, . . 

keepe, the Schole in obedience, and the Scholer 

M. IVotton. in good order. M. JVotton^ a man milde of nature, 

with soft voice, and fewe wordes, inclined to M. Secretaries 

iudgement, and said, in mine opinion, the Schole- 

Ludus h- house should be in deede, as it is called by name, 

Lcr3.ri.iiii 

the house of playe and pleasure, and not of feare 

Plato de and bondage : and as I do remember, so saith 

^^P- 7- Socrates in one place of Plato. And therefore, 

if a Rodde carie the feare of a Sworde, it is no maruell, if those 

that be fearefull of nature, chose rather to forsake the Plaie, 

than to stand alwaies within the feare of a Sworde in a fonde 

,, ,^ mans handlino-, M. Mason, after his maner, was 

M. Masou. . . . . . . 

verie merie with both parties, pleasantlie playing, 

both, with the shrewde touches of many courste boyes, and with 

the small discretion of many leude Scholemasters. M. Haddon 

,, „ ,, was fullie of M. Peters opinion, and said, that 

M. Haddon. , , 011 r • 1 

the best bcholemaster or our time, was the 

greatest beater, and named the Person. Though, quoth I, it 

was his good fortune, to send from his Schole, 

this booke. ^^^^ ^^^ Vniuersitie, one of the best Scholers in 

deede of all our time, yet wise men do thinke, 

that that came so to passe, rather, by the great towardnes of the 

Scholer, than by the great beating of the Master: and whether 

this be true or no, you your selfe are best witnes. I said 

somewhat farder in the matter, how, and whie, yong children, 

were soner allured by loue, than driuen by beating, to atteyne 

good learning: wherein I was the bolder to say my minde, 

bicause M. Secretarie curteslie prouoked me thereunto: or else, 

in such a companie, and namelie in his prassence, my wonte is, 

to be more willing, to vse mine eares, than to occupie my 

tonge. 



A Preface to the Reader. ijj 

Syr JValter Mihhnaye^ M. Astley^ and the rest, said verie 
litle: onelie Syr Rich. Sackuil/., said nothing at all. After dinner 
I went vp to read with the Queenes Maiestie. We red than 
togither in the Greke tongue, as I well remember, Demost. 
that noble Oration of Demosthenes against Mschines., ^repl ira- 
for his false dealing in his Ambassage to king P"-^P^'^^- 
Philip of Macedonie. Syr Rich. Sackuile came vp sone after: and 
finding me in hir Maiesties priuie chamber, he gyj. ^ 
tooke me by the hand, & carying me to a Sackuiles 
windoe, said, M. Ascham.^ I would not for a good communi- 
deale of monie, haue bene, this daie, absent from ^j^g Author 
diner. Where, though I said nothing, yet I gaue of this 
as good eare, and do consider as well the taulke, booke. 
that passed, as any one did there. M. Secretarie said very 
wisely, and most truely, that many yong wittes be driuen to 
hate learninge, before they know what learninge is. I can be 
good witnes to this my selfe : For a fond Scholemaster, before 
I was fullie fourtene yeare olde, draue me so, with feare of 
beating, from all loue of learninge, as nowe, when I know, what 
difference it is, to haue learninge, and to haue litle, or none at 
all, I feele it my greatest greife, and finde it my greatest hurte, 
that euer came to me, that it was my so ill chance, to light 
vpon so lewde a Scholemaster. But seing it is but in vain, to 
lament thinges paste, and also wisdome to looke to thinges to 
cum, surely, God willinge, if God lend me life, I will make 
this my mishap, some occasion of good hap, to litle Robert 
Sackuile my sonnes sonne. For whose bringinge vp, I would 
gladlie, if it so please you, vse speciallie your good aduice. I 
heare saie, you haue a sonne, moch of his age : we wil deale thus 
togither. Point you out a Scholemaster, who by your order, 
shall teache my sonne and yours, and for all the rest, I will 
prouide, yea though they three do cost me a couple of hundred 
poundes by yeare: and beside, you shall finde me as fast i 
Frend to you and yours, as perchance any you haue. Which 
promise, the worthie lentleman surelie kept with me, vntill his 
dying daye. 

We had than farther taulke togither, of bringing vp of 
children : of the nature, of quicke, and hard wittes: jj^g cheife 
of the right choice of i good witte : of Feare, and pointes of 
loue in teachinge children. We passed from ^^is booke. 

M 



178 A P reef ace to the Reader. 

children and came to yonge men, namely, lentlemen : we 
taulked of their to moch libertie, to Hue as they lust: of their 
letting louse to sone, to ouer moch experience of ill, contrarie to 
the good order of many good olde common welthes of the 
Persians and Grekes : of witte gathered, and good fortune 
gotten, by some, onely by experience, without learning. And 
lastlie, he required of me verie earnestlie, to shewe, what I 
thovight of the common goinge of Englishe men into Italic. 
But, sayth he, bicause this place, and this tyme, will not suffer 
so long taulke, as these good matters require, therefore I pray 
you, at my request, and at your leysure, put in some order of 
writing, the cheife pointes of this our taulke, concerning the 
right order of teachinge, and honestie of lining, for the good 
bringing vp of children & yong men. And surelie, beside 
contentinge me, you shall both please and profit verie many 
others. I made some excuse by lacke of habilitie, and weakenes 
of bodie : well, sayth he, I am not now to learne, what you can 
do. Our deare frende, good M. Goodricke^ whose iudgement I 
could well beleue, did once for all, satisfye me fullie therein. 
Againe, I heard you say, not long agoe, that you may thanke 
Syr John Cheke^ for 2i\\ the learninge you haue: And I know 
verie well my selfe, that you did teach the Quene. And 
therefore seing God did so blesse you, to make you the Scholer 
of the best Master, and also the Scholemaster of the best 
Scholer, that euer were in our tyme, surelie, you should please 
God, benefite your countrie, & honest your owne name, if you 
would take the paines, to impart to others, what you learned 
of soch a Master, and how ye taught such a scholer. And, in 
vttering the stuffe ye receiued of the one, in declaring the 
order ye tooke with the other, ye shall neuer lacke, neither 
matter, nor maner, what to v/rite, nor how to write in this 
kinde of Argument. 

I beginning some farther excuse, sodeinlie was called to 
cum to the Queene. The night following, I slept litle, my 
head was so full of this our former taulke, and I so mindefull, 
somewhat to satisfie the honest request of so deare a frend, 
1 thought to praepare some litle treatise for a New yeares gift 
that Christmas. But, as it chanceth to busie builders, so, in 
building thys my poore Scholehouse (the rather bicause the forme 
of it is somewhat vxqw^ and differing from others) the worke 



A Preface to the Reader. 179 

rose dailie higher and wider, than I thought it would at the 
beginninge. 

And though it appeare now, and be in verie deede, but a 
small cotage, poore for the stuffe, and rude for the workemanship, 
yet in going forward, I found the site so good, as I was lothe to 
giue it ouer, but the making so costlie, outreaching my habilitie, 
as many tymes I wished, that some one of those three, my deare 
frendes, with full pursses, Syr Tho. Smithe^ M. 
Haddon^ or M. Watson^ had had the doing of it. yiAHadd'o. 
Yet, neuerthelesse, I my selfe, spending gladlie ( Watson. 

that litle, that I gatte at home by good Syr lohn ^/ {' 
Cheke, and that that I borrowed abroad of my /_ sturmius. 
frend Sturmius.^ beside somewhat that was left me Flato. 
in Reuersion by my olde Masters, Plato., Jristotle^ Aristotle. 
and Cicero^ I haue at last patched it vp, as I could, 
and as you see. If the matter be meane, and meanly handled, 
I pray you beare, both with me, and it: for neuer worke went 
vp in worse wether, with mo lettes and stoppes, than this poore 
Scholehouse of mine. Westminster Hall can beare some 
witnesse, beside moch weakenes of bodie, but more trouble of 
minde, by some such sores, as greue me to toche them my 
selfe, and therefore I purpose not to open them to others. 
And, in middes of outward iniuries, and inward cares, to 
encrease them withall, good Syr Rich, Sackiille 
dieth, that worthie lentleman: That earnest sachiill 
fauorer and furtherer of Gods true Religion : 
That faithfull Seruitor to his Prince and Countrie: A louer of 
learning, & all learned men : Wise in all doinges : Curtesse to 
all persons : shewing spite to none : doing good to many: and as 
I well found, to me so fast a frend, as I neuer lost the like 
before. Whan he was gone, my hart was dead. There was 
not one, that woare a blacke gowne for him, who caried \ 
heuier hart for him, than I. Whan he was gone, I cast this 
booke awaie : I could not looke vpon it, but with weping eyes, 
in remembring him, who was the onelie setter on, to do it, and 
would haue bene, not onelie a glad commender of it, but also 
a sure and certaine comfort, to me and mine, for it. Almost 
two yeares togither, this booke lay scattered, and neglected, 
and had bene quite giuen ouer of me, if the goodnesse of one 
had not giuen me some life and spirite againe. God, the 

M 2 



i8o A Preface to the Reader. 

mouer of goodnesse, prosper alwaies him & his, as he hath 
many times comforted me and mine, and, I trust to God, shall 
comfort more and more. Of whom, most iustlie I may saie, 
and verie oft, and alwaies gladlie, I am wont to say, that 
sweete verse of Sophocles, spoken by Oedipus to worthie Theseus. 

bop .in e')(co [7«p] ^%<w ^i« o"^) KOVK aWov ^porSiv. 

Thys hope hath helped me to end this booke: which, if he 
allowe, I shall thinke my labours well imployed, and shall not 
moch aesteme the misliking of any others. And I trust, he 
shall thinke the better of it, bicause he shall finde the best part 
thereof, to cum out of his Schole, whom he, of all men loued 
and liked best. 

Yet some men, frendly enough of nature, but of small 
iudgement in learninge, do thinke, I take to moch paines, and 
Plato in spend to moch time, in settinge forth these 

""tio . childrens affaires. But those good men were 

oil -vAo^^crrt neuer brought vp in Socrates Schole, who saith 
Trepi oTov plainlie, that no man goeth about a more godlie 

deLoripov purpose, than he that is mindfull of the good 

av Soviet- bringing vp, both of hys owne, and other mens 
ffaiTo, 7) children. 

Trept Trat- Therfore, I trust, good and wise men, will 

e as, /vat^ thinke well of this my doing;. And of other, that 

Kal Twv thinke otherwise, I will thinke my selfe, they are 

olKeiwv. but men, to be pardoned for their follie, and 

pitied for their ignoraunce. 

In writing this booke, I haue had earnest respefte to three 
speciall pointes, trothe of Religion, honestie in liuing, right order 
in learning. In which three waies, I praie God, my poore 
children may diligently waulke : for whose sake, as nature 
moued, and reason required, and necessitie also somewhat 
compelled, I was the willinger to taKe these paines. 

For, seing at my death, I am not like to leaue them any 
great store of lining, therefore in my life time, I thought good 
to bequeath vnto the, in this litle booke, as in my Will and 
Testament, the right waie to good learning: which if they 
followe, with the feare of God, they shall verie well cum to 
sufficiencie of liuinge. 

I wishe also, with all my hart, that yong M. Rob. Sackuil/e, 



A Prceface to the Reader. i8i 

may take that fru6te of this labor, that his worthie Grauntfather 
purposed he should haue done : And if any other do take, either 
profFet, or pleasure hereby, they haue cause to thanke M. 
Robert Sackrulle^ for whom speciallie this my Scholemaster was 
prouided. 

And one thing I would haue the Reader consider in 
readinge this booke, that bicause, no Scholemaster hath charge 
of any childe, before he enter into hys Schole, therefore I 
leauing all former care, of their good bringing vp, to wise and 
good Parentes, as a matter not belonp-ing- to the Scholemaster, 
I do appoynt thys my Scholemaster, than, and there to begin, 
where his office and charge beginneth. Which charge lasteth 
not long, but vntill the Scholer be made hable to go to the 
Vniuersitie, to procede in Logike, Rhetoricke, and other kindes 
of learning. 

Yet if my Scholemaster, for loue he beareth to hys 
Scholer, shall teach hym somewhat for hys furtherance, 
and better iudgement in learning, that may serue 
him seuen yeare after in the Vniuersitie, he 
doth hys Scholer no more wrong, nor de- 
serueth no worse name therby, than he 
doth in London, who sellinge silke 
or cloth vnto his frend, doth 
giue hym better measure, 
than either hys pro- 
mise or bargaine 
was. 

Farewell in Christ. 



The first booke for the youth. 



AFter the childe hath learned perfitlie the eight partes of 
speach, let him then learne the right ioyning togither of 
suhstantiues with adiectiues, the nowne with the verbe, the 
relatiue with the antecedent. And in learninge farther hys 
Syntaxis, by mine aduice, he shall not vse the common order 
in common scholes, for making of latines : wherby, the childe 
commonlie learneth, first, an euill choice of wordes, 

r.','" ^ (and right choice of wordes, saith C(esay\ is the 

Cla. or. \ . ^ ^ , . ' ' , . 

foundation of eloquence) than, a wrong placmg 

of wordes : and lastlie, an ill framing of the sentence, with 

a peruerse iudgement, both of wordes and sentences. These 
, J , . r faultes, taking once roote in yougthe, be neuer, or 
Lattines hardlie, pluckt away in age. Moreouer, there is 

marreth no one thing, that hath more, either dulled the 

Children. wittes, or taken awaye the will of children from 

learning, then the care they haue, to satisfie their masters, in 

making of latines. 

For, the scholer, is commonlie beat for the making, whe 

the master were more worthie to be beat for the mending, or 

rather, marring of the same : The master many times, being 

as ignorant as the childe, what to saie properlie and fitlie to the 

matter. 

Two scholemasters haue set forth in print, either of them 
Horman. a booke, of soch kinde of latines, Horman and 

Whitting- Whittington. 

^°"- A childe shall learne of the better of them, 

that, which an other daie, if he be wise, and cum to iudgement, 

he must be faine to vnlearne againe. 



The first booke for the youth, 183 

There is a waie, touched in the first booke of Cicero 
De Oratory, which, wiselie brought into scholes, „ „ 

truely taught, and costantly vsed, would not 
onely take wholly away this butcherlie feare in making of 
latines, b'ut would also, with ease and pleasure, and in short 
time, as I know by good experience, worke a true choice and 
placing of wordes, a right ordering of sentences, an easie 
vnderstandyng of the tonge, a readines to speake, a facultie to 
write, a true iudgement, both of his owne, and other mens 
doinges, what tonge so euer he doth vse. 

The waie is this. After the three Concordances learned, 
as I touched before, let the master read vnto hym the Epistles 
of Cicero, gathered togither and chosen out by Sturmius, for 
the capacitie of children. 

First, let him teach the childe, cherefullie and plainlie, the 
cause, and matter of the letter : then, let him 
construe it into Englishe, so oft, as the childe may r^^ '^^w^ <y 
easilie carie awaie the vnderstanding of it : 
Lastlie, parse it ouer perfitlie. This done thus, let the childe, 
by and by, both construe and parse it ouer againe : so, that it 
may appeare, that the childe douteth in nothing, that his 
master taught him before. After this, the childe must take 
a paper booke, and sitting in some place, where no man shall 
prompe him, by him self, let him translate into Englishe his 
former lesson. Then shewino- it to his master, 
let the master take from him his latin booke, and ^^^ Pf" 
pausing an houre, at the least, than let the childe 
translate his owne Englishe into latin againe, in an other paper 
booke. When the childe bringeth it, turned into latin, the 
master must compare it with TuUies booke, and laie them both 
togither : and where the childe doth well, either in chosing, or 
true placing of TuUies wordes, let the master children 
praise him, and saie here ye do well. For I learne by 
assure you, there is no such whetstone, to prayse. 
sharpen a good witte and encourage a will to learninge, as is 
praise. 

But if the childe misse, either in forgetting a worde, or in 
chaunging a good with a worse, or misordering the sentence, 
I would not haue the master, either froune, or chide with him, 
if the childe haue done his diligence, and vsed no trewandship 



1 84 I' he first booke teachyng 

therein. For I know by good experience, that a childe shall 

take more profit of two fautes, ientlie warned of, 

hfterdiTnf-. ^^^^ ^^ ^"^"''^ thinges, rightly hitt. For than, the 

master shall haue good occasion to saie vnto him. 

N. TuUie would haue vsed such a worde, not this : Tull'ie 

would haue placed this word here, not there : would haue vsed 

this case, this number, this person, this degree, this gender : he 

would haue vsed this moode, this tens, this simple, rather than 

this compound : this aduerbe here, not there : he would haue 

ended the sentence with this verbe, not with that nowne or 

participle, etc. 

In these fewe lines, I haue wrapped vp, the most tedious 
part of Grammer: and also the ground of almost all the Rewles, 
that are so busilie taught by the Master, and so hardlie learned 
by the Scholer, in all common Scholes : which after this sort, 
the master shall teach without all error, and the scholer shall 
learne without great paine : the master being led by so sure 
a guide, and the scholer being brought into so plaine and easie 
a waie. And therefore, we do not contemne Rewles, but we 
gladlie teach Rewles : and teach them, more plainlie, sensiblie, 
and orderlie, than they be commonlie taught in common 
Scholes. For whan the Master shall compare Tullies booke 
with his Scholers translation, let the Master, at the first, 
lead and teach his Scholer, to ioyne the Rewles of his Grammer 
booke, with the examples of his present lesson, vntill the 
Scholer, by him selfe, be hable to fetch out of his Grammer, 
euerie Rewle, for euerie Example : So, as the Grammer booke 
be euer in the Scholers hand, and also vsed of him, as a 
Dictionarie, for euerie present vse. This is a liuely and perfite 
waie of teaching of Rewles : where the common waie, vsed in 
common Scholes, to read the Grammer alone by it selfe, is 
tedious for the Master, hard for the Scholer, colde and vn- 
cumfortable for them bothe. 

Let your Scholer be neuer afraide, to aske you any dout, 
but vse discretlie the best allurements ye can, to encorage him 
to the same : lest, his ouermoch fearinge of you, driue him 
to seeke some misorderlie shifte : as, to seeke to be helped 
by some other booke, or to be prompted by some other 
Scholer, and so goe aboute to begile you moch, and him selfe 
more. 



the brynging vp of youth. 185 

With this waie, of good vnderstanding the mater, plaine 
construinge, diligent parsinge, dailie translatinge, cherefull 
admonishinge, and heedefull amendinge of faultes : neuer 
leauinge behinde iuste praise for well doinge, I would haue the 
Scholer brought vp withall, till he had red, & translated ouer y^ 
first booke of Epistles chosen out by Sturmius^ with a good 
peece of a Comedie of Terence also. 

All this while, by mine aduise, the childe shall vse to speake 
no latine : For, as Cicero saith in like mater, with like wordes, 
loquendo^ male loqui discunt. And, that excellent Latin 
learned man, G. Bud^^us^ in his Greeke Com- speakyng. 
mentaries, sore complaineth, that whan he began G. Bndaus. 
to learne the latin tonge, vse of speaking latin at the table, and 
elsewhere, vnaduisedlie, did bring him to soch an euill choice of 
wordes, to soch a crooked framing of sentences, that no one 
thing did hurt or hinder him more, all the dales of his life 
afterward, both for redinesse in speaking, and also good iudge- 
ment in writinge. 

In very deede, if childre were brought vp, in soch a house, 
or soch a Schole, where the latin tonge were properlie and 
perfitlie spoken, as Tib. and Ca. Gracci were brought vp, in 
their mother Cornelias house, surelie, than the dailie vse of 
speaking, were the best and readiest waie, to learne the latin 
tong. But, now, commonlie, in the best Scholes in England, 
for wordes, right choice is smallie regarded, true proprietie 
whollie neglected, confusion is brought in, barbariousnesse is 
bred vp so in yong wittes, as afterward they be, not onelie 
marde for speaking, but also corrupted in iudgement : as with 
moch adoe, or neuer at all, they be brought to right frame 
againe. 

Yet all men couet to haue their children speake latin : and 
so do I verie earnestlie too. We bothe, haue one purpose : we 
agree in desire, we wish one end : but we differ somewhat in 
order and waie, that leadeth rightlie to that end. Other would 
haue them speake at all aduentures : and, so they be speakinge, 
to speake, the Master careth not, the Scholer knoweth not, 
what. This is, to seeme, and not to bee : except it be, to be 
bolde without shame, rashe without skill, full of wordes without 
witte. I wish to haue them speake so, as it may well appeare, 
that the braine doth gouerne the tonge, and that reason leadeth 



i86 



'The first booke teachyng 



forth the taulke. Socrates doctrine is true in Plato^ and well 

marked, and truely vttered by Horace in Arte 

a 0. Poetica^ that, where so euer knowledge doth accom- 

panie the witte, there best vtterance doth alwaies 

awaite vpon the tonge : For, goodvnderstanding must first be bred 

y. , . in the childe, which, being nurished with skill, and 

tyng bree- vse of writing (as I will teach more largelie 

deth ready hereafter) is the onelie waie to bring him to 

speakyng. iudgement and readinesse in speakinge : and that 

in farre shorter time (if he followe constantlie the trade of this 

litle lesson) than he shall do, by common teachinge of the 

comon scholes in England. 

But, to go forward, as you perceiue, your scholer to goe 
better and better on awaie, first, with vnderstanding his lesson 
more quicklie, with parsing more readelie, with translating 
more spedelie and perfitlie then he was wonte, after, giue him 
longer lessons to translate : and withall, begin to teach him, 
both in nownes, & verbes, what is Proprium^ and 
what is Translatum^ what Synonymum^ what 
Diuersum^ which be Contraria^ and which be 
most notable Phrases in all his lefture. 



The secod 
degree and 
order in 
teachyng. 



As 



Propriurn. 



Translatum. 



Synony? 



Diuersa. 



Contraria. 



Phrases. 



( Rex Sepultus est 
\ ynagn'ifice. 

[ Cum lllo princlpe^ 
J Sepulta est iff gloria 
\ et Sahis Reipublic^e. 

Ensis^ Gladius. 
Laudare^ pradicare. 

DUigere^ Atnare. 
Calere^ Exardescere. 
Inimicus, Hostis. 

Acerbum ^ lu5iuosum 

be Hum. 
Dulcis iff loeta 
Pax. 

\ Dare verba. 

\ abjicere obed'ient'iam. 



the brynging vp of youth. 187 

Your scholer then, must haue the third paper booke : in 
the which, after he hath done his double transla- 
tion, let him write, after this sort foure of these ^p J ^^Jj^^ 
forenamed sixe, diligentlie marked out of euerie 
lesson. 

Propria. 

Translata. 

Synonyma. 

Diuersa. 

Contraria. 

Phrases. 



Quatuor. 



Or else, three, or two, if there be no moe : and if there be 
none of these at all in some lecture, yet not omitte the order, 
but write these. 

f Diuersa nulla. 

\ Contraria nulla, etc. 

This diligent translating, ioyned with this heedefull 
marking, in the foresaid Epistles, and afterwarde in some 
plaine Oration of Tw/AV, 2&.^ pro lege Manil : pro Jrchia Poeta.^ 
or in those three ad C. Cas : shall worke soch a right choise of 
wordes, so streight a framing of sentences, soch a true iudge- 
ment, both to write skilfullie, and speake wittlelie, as wise men 
shall both praise, and maruell at. 

If your scholer do misse sometimes, in marking rightlie 
these foresaid sixe thinges, chide not hastelie : for that shall, 
both dull his witte, and discorage his diligence : 
but monish him gentelie : which shall make in'teacMne 
him, both willing to amende, and glad to go 
forward in loue and hope of learning. 

I haue now wished, twise or thrise, this gentle nature, 
to be in a Scholemaster : And, that I haue done so, neither by 
chance, nor without some reason, I will now 
declare at large, why, in mine opinion, loue is J^^^' 
fitter then feare, ientlenes better than beating, to 
bring vp a childe rightlie in learninge. 

With the common vse of teaching and beating in common 
scholes of England, I will not greatlie contend : 
which if I did, it were but a small grammaticall sclwks" 
controuersie, neither belonging to heresie nor 



1 8 8 T^he first booke teachyng 

treason, nor greatly touching God nor the Prince : although in 

very deede, in the end, the good or ill bringing vp of children, 

doth as much serue to the good or ill seruice, of God, our 

Prince, and ou" whole countrie, as any one thing doth beside. 

I do glad e agree with all good Scholemasters in these 

pointes : to haue children brought to good perfitnes in learning: 

to all honestie in maners : to haue all fautes rightlie amended : 

to haue euerie vice seuerelie corrected : but for the order and 

waie that leadeth rightlie to these pointes, we somewhat differ. 

Sharpe ^'^'^ commonlie, many scholemasters, some, as 

Schole- I haue seen, moe, as I haue heard tell, be of so 

masters. croolced a nature, as, when they meete with a 

hard witted scholer, they rather breake him, than bowe him, 

rather marre him, then mend him. For whan the scholemaster 

is angrie with some other matter, then will he sonest faul to 

beate his scholer : and though he him selfe should be punished 

for his folic, yet must he beate some scholer for his pleasure : 

though there be no cause for him to do so, nor yet fault in the 

scholer to deserue so. These ye will say, be fond scholemasters, 

and fewe they be, that be found to be soch. They be fond in 

deede, but surelie ouermany soch be found euerie where. But 

this will I say, that euen the wisest of your great 

Nature beaters, do as oft punishe nature, as they do 

punished. ' /^ • , , 

correcte raultes. Yea, many times, the better 

nature, is sorer punished : For, if one, by quicknes of witte, 

take his lesson readelie, an other, by hardnes of witte, taketh it 

not so speedelie : the first is alwaies commended, the other is 

commonlie punished : whan a wise scholemaster, should rather 

discretelie consider the right disposition of both their natures, 

and not so moch wey what either of them is able to do now, 

Ouicke ^^ what either of them is likelie to do hereafter. 

wittes for For this I know, not onelie by reading of bookes 

learnyng. in my studie, but also by experience of life, 

abrode in the world, that those, which be commonlie the 

wisest, the best learned, and best men also, when they be olde, 

were neuer commonlie the quickest of witte, when they were 

yonge. The causes why, amongest other, which be many, that 

moue me thus to thinke, be these fewe, which I will recken. 

Quicke wittes commonlie, be apte to take, vnapte to keepe : 

soone hote and desirous of this and that : as colde and sone 



the brynglng vp of youth. 189 

wery of the same againe : more quicke to enter spedelie, than 
hable to pearse farre : euen like ouer sharpe tooles, whose edges 
be verie soone turned. Soch wittes delite them selues in easie 
and pleasant studies, and neuer passe farre forward in hie and 
hard sciences. And therfore the quickest wittes commonlie 
may proue the best Poetes, but not the wisest Orators : readie 
of tonge to speake boldlie, not deepe of iudgement, Quj^i^g 
either for good counsell or wise writing. Also, wittes, for 
for maners and life, quicke wittes commonlie, be, maners & 
in desire, newfangle, in purpose, vnconstant, light ^ ^' 
to promise any thing, readie to forget euery thing: both benefite 
and iniurie: and therby neither fast to frend, nor fearefull to foe: 
inquisitiue of euery trifle, not secret in greatest affaires : bolde, 
with any person : busie, in euery matter : sothing, soch as be 
present : nipping any that is absent : of nature also, alwaies, 
flattering their betters, enuying their equals, despising their 
inferiors : and, by quicknes of witte, verie quicke and readie, to 
like none so well as them selues. 

Moreouer commonlie, men, very quicke of witte, be also, 
verie light of conditions : and thereby, very readie of disposition, 
to be caried ouer quicklie, by any light cumpanie, to any riot 
and vnthriftines when they be yonge : and therfore seldome, 
either honest of life, or riche in liuing, when they be olde. 
For, quicke in witte, and light in maners, be, either seldome 
troubled, or verie sone wery, in carying a verie heuie purse. 
Quicke wittes also be, in most part of all their doinges, ouer- 
quicke, hastie, rashe, headie, and brainsicke. These two last 
wordes, Headie, and Brainsicke, be fitte and proper wordes, 
rising naturallie of the matter, and tearmed aptlie by the 
condition, of ouer moch quickenes of witte. In yougthe also 
they be, readie scoffers, priuie mockers, and euer ouer light and 
mery. In aige, sone testie, very waspishe, and alwaies ouer 
miserable : and yet fewe of them cum to any great aige, by 
reason of their misordered life when they were yong : but 
a great deale fewer of them cum to shewe any great counten- 
ance, or beare any great authoritie abrode in the world, but 
either liue obscurelie, men know not how, or dye obscurelie, 
me marke not whan. They be like trees, that shewe forth, 
faire blossoms & broad leaues in spring time, but bring out 
small and not long lasting fruite in haruest time : and that 



1 90 The first booke teachyng 

onelie soch, as fall, and rotte, before they be ripe, and so, neuer, 
or seldome, cum to any good at all. For this ye shall finde 
most true by experience, that amongest a number of quicke 
wittes in youthe, fewe be found, in the end, either verie 
fortunate for them selues, or verie profitable to serue the common 
wealth, but decay and vanish, men know not which way : 
except a very fewe, to whom peraduenture blood and happie 
parentage, may perchance purchace a long standing vpon the 
stage. The which felicitie, because it commeth by others 
procuring, not by their owne deseruinge, and stand by other 
mens feete, and not by their own, what owtward brag so euer 
is borne by them, is in deed, of it selfe, and in wise mens eyes, 
of no great estimation. 

Some wittes, moderate enough by nature, be many tymes 

Som sci- marde by ouer moch studie and vse of some 

ences hurt sciences, namelie, Musicke, Arithmetick, and 

and mar' Geometrie. Thies sciences, as they sharpen mens 

mens ma- wittes ouer moch, so they change mens maners 

"^""s- ouer sore, if they be not moderatlie mingled, & 

wiselie applied to som good vse of life. Marke all Mathe- 

Mathe- maticall heades, which be onely and wholy bent 

maticall to those sciences, how solitarie they be theselues, 

heades. j^^^ vnfit to Hue with others, & how vnapte to 

serue in the world. This is not onelie knowen now by common 

experience, but vttered long before by wise mens Judgement 

and sentence. Galene saith, moch Musick marreth 

■ mens maners : and Plato hath a notable place of 

the same thing in his bookes de Rep. well marked 

also, and excellentlie translated by Tullie himself Of this 

matter, I wrote once more at large, xx. yeare a go, in my booke 

of shoting : now I thought but to touch it, to proue, that ouer 

moch quicknes of witte, either giuen by nature, or sharpened by 

studie, doth not commonlie bring forth, eyther greatest learning, 

best maners, or happiest life in the end. 

Contrariewise, a witte in youth, that is not ouer dulle, 

. heauie, knottie and lumpishe, but hard, rough, and 

in learnmg;. though somwhat staffishe, as TuU'ie wisheth ot'ium^ 

quietum^ non languidum : and negotium cum labore., 

non cutn periculo., such a witte I say, if it be, at the first well 

handled by the mother, and rightlie smothed and wrought as it 



the brynging vp of youth. 191 

should, not ouerwhartlie, and against the wood, by the schole- 
master, both for learning, and hole course of lining, proueth 
alwaies the best. In woode and stone, not the softest, but 
hardest, be alwaies aptest, for portrature, both fairest for pleasure, 
and most durable for proffit. Hard wittes be hard to receiue, 
but sure to keepe : painefull without werinesse, hedefull without 
wauering, constant without newfanglenes : bearing heauie 
thinges, thoughe not lightlie, yet willinglie : entring hard 
thinges, though not easelie, yet depelie, and so cum to that 
perfitnes of learning in the ende, that quicke wittes, seeme in 
hope, but do not in deede, or else verie seldome. Hard wits 
euer attaine vnto. Also, for maners and life, hard in maners 
wittes commonlie, ar hardlie caried, either to ^ ^ 
desire euerie new thing, or else to meruell at euery strange 
thinge : and therfore they be carefull and diligent in their own 
matters, not curious and busey in other mens affaires : and so, 
they becum wise them selues, and also ar counted honest by 
others. They be graue, stedfast, silent of tong, secret of hart. 
Not hastie in making, but constant in keping any promise. 
Not rashe in vttering, but ware in considering euery matter: 
and therby, not quicke in speaking, but deepe of iudgement, 
whether they write, or giue counsell in all waightie affaires. 
And theis be the me, that becum in the end, both most happie 
for themselues, and alwaise best estemed abrode in the world. 

I haue bene longer in describing, the nature, the good or ill 
successe, of the quicke and hard witte, than perchance som will 
thinke, this place and matter doth require. But The best 
my purpose was hereby, plainlie to vtter, what wittes dri- 
iniurie is offered to all learninge, & to the common T^'^n'^np' 
welthe also, first, by the fond father in chosing, to other li- 
but chieflie by the lewd scholemaster in beating uyng. 
and driuing away the best natures from learning. A childe 
that is still, silent, constant, and somwhat hard of witte, is 
either neuer chosen by the father to be made a scholer, or else, 
when he commeth to the schole, he is smally regarded, little 
looked vnto, he lacketh teaching, he lacketh coraging, he lacketh 
all thinges, onelie he neuer lacketh beating, nor any word, that 
may moue him to hate learninge, nor any deed that may driue 
him from learning, to any other kinde of lining. 

And when this sadde natured, and hard witted child, is bette 



192 The Jirst booke teachyng 

from his booke, and becummeth after eyther student of 

the common lawe, or page in the Court, or 
Hard wits • u J ^- * u ^ 

proue best serumgman, or bound prentice to a merchant, 

in eueiy or to som handiecrafte, he proueth in the ende, 

kynde of wiser, happier and many tymes honester too, than 

many of theis quick wittes do, by their learninge. 

Learning is, both hindred and iniured to, by the ill choice 

of them, that send yong scholers to the vniuersities. Of whom 

must nedes cum all oure Diuines, Lawyers, and Physicions. 

Thies yong scholers be chosen commonlie, as yong apples be 

^, .,, chosen by children, in a faire garden about iS. 

choice of lames tyde: a childe will chose a sweeting, because it 

wittes for is presentlie faire and pleasant, and refuse a Runnet, 

learnyng. because it is than grene, hard, and sowre, whan the 

one, if it be eaten, doth breed, both wormes and ill humors : 

the other if it stand his tyme, be ordered and kepte as it should, is 

holsom of it self, andhelpeth to the good disgestion of other meates : 

Sweetinges, will receyue wormes, rotte, and dye on the tree, and 

neuer or seldom cum to the gathering for good and lasting store. 

For verie greafe of harte I will not applie the similitude : 

but hereby, is plainlie seen, how learning is robbed of hir best 

wittes, first by the greate beating, and after by the ill chosing 

of scholers, to go to the vniuersities. Whereof cunimeth 

partelie, that lewde and spitefull prouerbe, sounding to the 

greate hurte of learning, and shame of learned men, that, the 

greatest Clerkes be not the wisest men. 

And though I, in all this discourse, seem plainlie to prefer, 

hard and roughe wittes, before quicke and light wittes, both for 

learnyng and maners, yet am I not ignorant that som quicknes 

of witte, is a singuler gifte of God, and so most rare emonges 

men, and namelie such a witte, as is quicke without lightnes, 

sharpe without brittlenes, desirous of good thinges without 

newfanglenes, diliget in painfull thinges without werisomnes, 

and constant in good will to do all thinges well, as I know was 

in Syr lohyi Cheke^ and is in som, that yet liue, in whome all 

theis faire qualities of witte ar fullie mette togither. 

But it is notable and trewe, that Socrates saith in Plato to 

his frende Crito. That, that number of men is 

Fatoin fewest, which far excede, either in good or ill, in 

wisdom or folie, but the meane betwixt both, be 



the brynging vp of youth. 



193 



Veiie 
good, or 
verie ill 
men, be 
fewest in 
number. 

wiser anc 



the greatest number : which he proueth trewe in diuerse other 

thinges : as in greyhoundes, emonges which fewe 

are found, exceding greate, or exceding litle, 

exceding swift, or exceding slowe : And therfore, 

I speaking of quick and hard wittes, I ment, the 

common number of quicke and hard wittes, 

emonges the which, for the most parte, the hard 

witte, proueth manie times, the better learned, 

honester man : and therfore, do I the more lament, that soch 

wittes commonlie be either kepte from learning, by fond fathers, 

or bet from learning by lewde scholemasters. 

And speaking thvis moche of the wittes of children for 
learning, the opportunitie of the place, and good- 
nes of the matter might require to haue here 
declared the most speciall notes of a good witte for 
learning in a childe, after the maner and custume 
of a good horsman, who is skilfull, to know, and 
hable to tell others, how by certein sure signes, a 
man may choise a colte, that is like to proue an 
other day, excellent for the saddle. And it is 
pitie, that commonlie, more care is had, yea and 
that emonges verie wise men, to finde out rather a cunnynge 
man for their horse, than a cunnyng man for their 
children. They say nay in worde, but they do so 
in deede. For, to the one, they will gladlie giue 
a stipend of 200. Crounes by yeare, and loth 
to offer to the other, 200. shillinges, God, that 
sitteth in heauen laugheth their choice to skorne, 
and rewardeth their liberalitie as it should : for he suffereth 
them, to haue, tame, and well ordered horse, but 
wilde and vnfortunate Children : and therfore in 
the ende they finde more pleasure in their horse, 
than comforte in their children. 

But concerning the trewe notes of the best wittes for 
learning in a childe, I will reporte, not myne own opinion, but 
the very iudgement of him, that was counted the best teacher 
and wisest man that learning maketh mention of, 
and that is Socrates in Plato^ who expresseth 
orderlie thies seuen plaine notes to choise a good 
witte in a child for learnino-e. 



Horsemen 
be wiser in 
knowledge 
of a good 
Colte, than 
scholema- 
sters be, in 
knowledge 
of a good 
witte. 



A good Ri- 
der better 
rewarded 
tha a good 
Schole- 
master. 



Horse well 
broken, 
children ill 
taught. 



Plato in 7. 
de Rep. 



1 94 The first booke teachyng 

1 1 JLu(j)vi]'i. 

2 MvijfJiCOV. 
Trewe 3 ^l^OfiaOri^. 

notes of a ■< A. ^tX67rovo<;. 

g°°d ^""^- 5 ^cXtjkoo^. 

6 Zr]r7]TCK6<;. 

And bicause I write English, and to Englishemen, I will 
plainlie declare in Englishe both, what thies wordes of Plato 
meane, and how aptlie they be linked, and how orderlie they 
folow one an other. 

I. l£iv^vy]<;. 

Is he, that is apte by goodnes of witte, and appliable by 

readines of will, to learning, hauing all other 

^ ^!"^' qualities of the minde and partes of the bodie, 

that must an other day serue learning, not trobled, 

magled, and halfed, but sounde, whole, full, & hable to do their 

^ office : as, a tong, not stamering, or ouer hardlie 

''" drawing forth wordes, but plaine, and redie to 

The voice. deliuer the meaning of the minde : a voice, not 

softe, weake, piping, womannishe, but audible. 

Face. stronge, and manlike : a countenance, not werishe 

Stature. and crabbed, but faire and cumlie : a personage, 

not wretched and deformed, but taule and goodlie : 

for surelie, a cumlie countenance, with a goodlie 

Learnyng stature, geueth credit to learning, and authoritie 

loyned i ° • ,• • i 

with a cum- to the person : otherwise commonlie, either, open 

lie perso- contempte, or priuie disfauour doth hurte, or 

"^Se- hinder, both person and learning. And, euen as 

a faire stone requireth to be sette in the finest gold, with the 

best workmanshyp, or else it leseth moch of the Grace and 

price, euen so, excellencye in learning, and namely Diuinitie, 

ioyned with a cumlie personage, is a meruelous lewell in the 

world. And how can a cumlie bodie be better employed, 

than to serue the fairest exercise of Goddes greatest gifte, 

and that is learning. But commonlie, the fairest bodies, 

ar bestowed on the foulest purposes. I would it were not so : 

and with examples herein I will not medle : yet I wishe, that 



the brynging vp of youth. 195 

those shold, both mynde it, h medle with it, which haue most 
occasion to looke to it, as good and wise fathers shold do, and 
greatest authoritie to amend it, as good & wise magistrates 
ought to do : And yet I will not let, openlie to lament the 
vnfortunate case of learning herein. 

P"or, if a father haue foure sonnes, three faire and well 
formed both mynde and bodie, the fourth, p, r . 
wretched, lame, and deformed, his choice shalbe, creatures 
to put the worst to learning, as one good enoughe commonlie 
to becum a scholer. I haue spent the most parte ^*^' *" '^^'"" 
of my life in the Vniuersitie, and therfore I can "^"^' 
beare good witnes that many fathers commonlie do thus: wherof, 
I haue hard many wise, learned, and as good men as euer I knew, 
make great, and oft complainte : a good horseman will choise 
no soch colte, neither for his own, nor yet for his masters sadle. 
And thus moch of the first note. 

2 yivrjfiwv. 

Good of memorie, a speciall parte of the first note ei'c^i;?;?, 

and a mere benefite of nature: yet it is so 

^ , . ri; 11- Memorie. 

necessane for learnmg, as rlato maketh it a 

separate and perfite note of it selfe, and that so principall a note, 

as without it, all other giftes of nature do small seruice to 

learning. Afranius^ that olde Latine Poete maketh 4 1 r 1 

Memorie the mother of learning and wisedome, 

saying thus. 

Vsm ?ne genu'it^ Mater peperit metnoi'ia^ and though it be the 

mere gifte of nature, yet is memorie well preserued by vse, and 

moch encreased by order, as our scholer must jj^i-gg s^^g 

learne an other day in the Vniuersitie: but in signesofa 

a childe, a good memorie is well known, by three good me- 

properties : that is, if it be, quicke in receyuing, 

sure in keping, and redie in deliuering forthe againe. 

3 ^ikofiadt]'?. 

Giuen to loue learning : for though a child haue all the 
giftes of nature at wishe, and perfection of memorie at wil, yet 
if he haue not a speciall loue to learning, he shall neuer attaine 
to moch learning. And therfore Isocrates^ one of the noblest 

N 2 



196 The first booke teachyng 

scholemasters, that is in memorie of learning, who taught 
Kinges and Princes, as Haiicarnassceus writeth, and out of 
whose schole, as Tullie saith, came forth, mo noble Capitanes, 
mo wise Councelors, than did out of Epeius horse at Troie. 
This Isocrates^ I say, did cause to be writte, at the entrie of his 
schole, in golden letters, this golden sentence, edv rj<; (jaXofiadrj^;, 
ear} iroXvixaOi']'; which excellentlie said in Greeke^ is thus rudelie 
in Englishe, if thou louest learning, thou shalt attayne to moch 
learning. 

4. ^Ckoirovo'i. 

Is he, that hath a lust to labor, and a will to take paines. 
For, if a childe haue all the benefites of nature, with perfection 
of memorie, loue, like, & praise learning neuer so moch, yet 
if he be not of him selfe painfull, he shall neuer attayne vnto it. 
And yet where loue is present, labor is seldom absent, and 
namelie in studie of learning, and matters of the mynde: and 
therfore did Isocratcs rightlie iudge, that if his scholer were 
<j)i\ofxad7]<i he cared for no more. Aristotle^ variing from 
Isocrates in priuate affaires of life, but agreing with Isocrates in 
common iudgement of learning, for loue and labor in learning, 
is of the same opinio, vttered in these wordes, in his Rhetorike 

ad TheodeSien. Libertie kindleth loue: Loue 
Th c[ refuseth no labor: and labor obteyneth what so 

euer it seeketh. And yet neuerthelesse, Goodnes 
of nature may do little good: Perfection of memorie, may 
serue to small vse : All loue may be employed in vayne : Any 
labor may be sone graualed, if a man trust alwaies to his own 
singuler witte, and will not be glad somtyme to heare, take 
aduise, and learne of an other : And therfore doth Socrates 
very notablie adde the fifte note. 

5. ^ikriKoo'^. 

He, that is glad to heare and learne of an other. For 
otherwise, he shall sticke with great troble, where he might 
go easelie forwarde : and also catche hardlie a verie litle by his 
owne toyle, whan he might gather quicklie a good deale, by an 
nothers mans teaching. But now there be some, that haue 
great loue to learning, good lust to labor, be willing to learne of 
others, yet, either of a fonde shamefastnes, or else of a proud 



the brynging vp of youth. 197 

folic, they dare not, or will not, go to Icarne of an nother: And 
therfore doth Socrates wiselie adde the sixte note of a good witte 
in a childe for learning, and that is. 

6. Zt]T7]tik6(;. 

He, that is naturalHe bold to aske any question, desirous to 
searche out any doute, not ashamed to learne of the meanest, 
not affraide to go to the greatest, vntill he be perfitelie taught, 
and fullie satisfiede. The seuenth and last poynte is. 

7. ^i\67raivo<i. 

He, that loueth to be praised for well doing, at his father, 
or masters hand. A childe of this nature, will earnestlie loue 
learnyng, gladlie labor for learning, willinglie learne of other, 
boldlie aske any doute. And thus, by Socrates iudgement, a 
good father, and a wise scholemaster, shold chose a childe to 
make a scholer of, that hath by nature, the foresayd perfite 
qualities, and cumlie furniture, both of mynde and bodie: hath 
memorie, quicke to receyue, sure to keape, and readie to deliuer: 
hath loue to learning: hath lust to labor: hath desire to learne 
of others: hath boldnes to aske any questio : hath mynde holie 
bent, to Wynne praise by well doing. 

The two firste poyntes be speciall benefites of nature: 
which neuerthelesse, be well preserued, and moch encreased by 
good order. But as for the fiue laste, loue, labor, gladnes to 
learne of others, boldnes to aske doutes, and will to wynne 
praise, be wonne and maintened by the onelie wisedome and 
discretio of the scholemaster. Which fiue poyntes, whether a 
scholemaster shall worke soner in a childe, by fearefull beating, 
or curtese handling, you that be wise, iudge. 

Yet some men, wise in deede, but in this matter, more by 
seueritie of nature, tha any wisdome at all, do laugh at vs, when 
we thus wishe and reason, that yong children should rather be 
allured to learning by ientilnes and loue, than compelled to 
learning, by beating and feare : They say, our reasons serue 
onelie to breede forth talke, and passe a waie tyme, but we 
neuer saw good scholemaster do so, nor neuer red of wise man 
that thought so. 

Yes forsothe: as wise as they be, either in other mens 
opinion, or in their owne conceite, I will bring the contrarie 



198 T'he Jirst booke teachyng 

iudgement of him, who, they them selues shall confesse, was as 
wise as they are, or else they may be iustlie thought to haue 
small witte at all : and that is Socrates^ whose iudgement in 

Plato is plainlie this in these wordes : which, 
Pla^ in 7. bicause they be verie notable, I will recite them 

in his owne tong, ovSev /xdOrjfjia /xera 8ovXeia<; 
')(^pr] fiavOdveiv: 01 fxev yap rov crcojj,aTO<; irovoi ^la TrovovfjievoL 
')(^elpov ovhev to (TOifxa direp'yd^ovTai ; '^VXU ^^> /^t'cttof ovSeu 
efifj,ovov fidOijfjba: in Englishe thus. No learning ought to be 
learned with bondage: For, bodelie labors, wrought by compul- 
sion, hurt not the bodie: but any learning learned by copulsion, 
tarieth not log in the mynde: And why? For what soeuer the 
mynde doth learne vnwillinglie with feare, the same it doth 
quicklie forget without care. And lest proude wittes, that loue 
not to be contraryed, but haue lust to wrangle or trifle away 
troth, will say, that Socrates meaneth not this of childrens 
teaching, but of som other higher learnyng, heare, what 
Socrates in the same place doth more plainlie say: /xr) toIvvv 
/3ia, CO dpicrre, tov<; TratSa? ev Toi<i fia6)jfiaatv, aXka 
7raL^oi'Ta<i rpecjie, that is to say, and therfore, my deare frend, 
bring not vp your children in learning by compulsion and feare, 
but by playing and pleasure. And you, that do read Plato, as 
The light Y^ shold, do well perceiue, that these be no 

readyng of Questions asked by Socrates, as doutes, but they 

^^^^°- be Sentences, first affirmed by Socrates, as mere 

trothes, and after, giuen forth by Socrates, as right Rules, most 
necessarie to be marked, and fitte to be folowed of all them, 
that would haue children taughte, as they should. And in this 
counsell, iudgement, and authoritie of Socrates I will repose 
my selfe, vntill I meete with a man of the contrarie mynde, 
whom I may iustlie take to be wiser, than I thinke Socrates 

was. Fonde scholemasters, neither can vnder- 
tkmen ^be Stand, nor will folow this good counsell of Socrates, 

wiselier but wise ryders, in their office, can and will do 

taught to _ both: which is the onelie cause, that comonly, 

mon'rv^ ^^' ^^^ y^^^o ientlemen of England, go so vnwillinglie 
deis, than to schole, and run so fast to the stable : For in 

to learne, verie deede fond scholemasters, by feare, do 

Scho°l™'^°" beate into the, the hatred of learning, and wise 
masters. riders, by ientle allurements, do breed vp in 



the brynging vp of youth. 199 

them, the loue of riding. They findc feare, & bondage in 
scholes, They feele libertie and freedome in stables: which 
causeth them, vtterlie to abhore the one, and most gladlie to 
haunt the other. And I do not write this, that in exhorting to 
the one, I would dissuade yong ientlemen from the other: yea 
I am sorie, with all my harte, that they be giuen no more to 
riding, then they be: For, of all outward qualities, ^ ,. 
to ride faire, is most cumelie for him selfe, most 
necessarie for his contrey, and the greater he is in blood, the 
greater is his praise, the more he doth excede all other therein. 
It was one of the three excellent praises, amongest the noble 
ientlemen the old Percians, Alwaise to say troth, to ride faire, 
and shote well : and so it was engrauen vpon Darius tumbe, as 
Strabo beareth witnesse. Strabo. 15. 

Darius the king^ lieth buried here, 

JVho in riding and shoting had neuer peare. 

But, to our purpose, yong men, by any meanes, leesing the 
loue of learning, whan by tyme they cum to their owne rule, 
they carie commonlie, from the schole with them, a perpetuall 
hatred of their master, and a continuall contempt of learning. 
If ten Ientlemen be asked, why they forget so sone in Court, 
that which they were learning so long in schole, eight of them, 
or let me be blamed, will laie the fault on their ill handling, by 
their scholemasters. 

Cuspinian doth report, that, that noble Emperor Maxi- 
?nilian, would lament verie oft, his misfortune herein. 

Yet, some will say, that children of nature, loue pastime, 
and mislike learning: bicause, in their kinde, the pastime. 
one is easie and pleasant, the other hard and 
werisom: which is an opinion not so trewe, as eamyng. 
some men weene: For, the matter lieth not so much in the 
disposition of them that be yong, as in the order & maner of 
bringing vp, by them that be old, nor yet in the dilFerece of 
learnyng and pastime. For, beate a child, if he daunce not well, 
Si, cherish him, though he learne not well, ye shall haue him, 
vnwilling to go to daunce, & glad to go to his booke. Knocke 
him alwaies, when he draweth his shaft ill, and fauor him 
againe, though he faut at his booke, ye shall haue hym verie 
loth to be in the field, and verie willing to be in the schole. 



Will. 

■ in Children 
Witte ' 



200 The first booke teachyng 

Yea, I sale more, and not of my selfe, but by the iudgemet of 
those, from whom few wisemen will gladlie dissent, that if euer 
the nature of man be giuen at any tyme, more than other, to 
receiue goodnes, it is, in innocencie of yong yeares, before, that 
experience of euill, haue taken roote in hym. For, the pure 
cleane witte of a sweete yong babe, is like the newest wax, 
most hable to receiue the best and fay rest printing: and like a 
new bright siluer dishe neuer occupied, to receiue and kepe 
cleane, anie good thyng that is put into it. 

And thus, will in children, wiselie wrought withall, male 
easelie be won to be verie well willing to 
learne. And witte in childre, by nature, 
namelie memorie, the onelie keie and keper of 
all learning, is readiest to receiue, and surest to kepe anie nianer 
of thing, that is learned in yougth: This, lewde and learned, by 
common experiece, know to be most trewe. For we remember 
nothyng so well when we be olde, as those things which we 
learned when we were yong: And this is not straunge, but 
Yog yeares common in all natures workes. Euery man sees, 
aptest for (as I sayd before) new wax is best for printyng : 

learnyng. j^^^ claie, fittest for working : new shorne woll, 

aptest for sone and surest dying : new fresh flesh, for good and 
durable salting. And this similitude is not rude, nor borowed 
of the larder house, but out of his scholehouse, of whom, the 
wisest of England, neede not be ashamed to learne. Yong 
Graftes grow not onelie sonest, but also fairest, and bring alwayes 
forth the best and sweetest frute : yong whelpes learne easelie 
to carie: yong Popingeis learne quicklie to speake: And so, to 
be short, if in all other thinges, though they lacke reason, sens, 
and life, the similitude of youth is fittest to all goodnesse, 
surelie nature, in mankinde, is most beneficiall and effectuall in 
this behalfe. 

Therfore, if to the goodnes of nature, be ioyned the 
wisedome of the teacher, in leading yong wittes into a right and 
plaine waie of learnyng, surelie, children, kept vp in Gods feare, 
and gouerned by his grace, maie most easelie be brought well to 
serue God and contrey both by vertue and wisedome. 

But if will, and witte, by farder age, be once allured fro 
innocencie, delited in vaine sightes, filed with fouU taulke, 
crooked with wilfulnesse, hardned with stubburnesse, and let 



the brynging vp of youth. 201 

louse to disobedience, surelie it is hard with ientlenesse, but 
vnpossible with seuere crueltie, to call them backe to good 
frame againe. For, where the one, perchance maie bend it, 
the other shall surelie brealce it: and so in stead of some hope, 
leaue an assured desperation, and shamelesse con- 
tempt of all goodnesse, the fardest pointe in all rtpud. ^' 
mischief, as Xenophon doth most trewlie and most 
wittelie marke. 

Therfore, to loue or to hate, to like or contemne, to pile 
this waie or that waie to good or to bad, ye shall haue as ye vse 
a child in his youth. 

And one example, whether loue or feare doth worke more 
in a child, for vertue and learning, I will gladlie report: which 
maie be hard with some pleasure, and folowed with more profit. 
Before I went into Germanie^ I came to Brodegate in Leceter- 
shire, to take my leaue of that noble Ladie lane 
Grey^ to whom I was exceding moch beholdinge. ^^.^^ 
Hir parentes, the Duke and Duches, with all the 
houshould, Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, were huntinge in the 
Parke: I founde her, in her Chamber, readinge Fh^edon Platonis 
in Greeke, and that with as moch delite, as som ientleman wold 
read a merie tale in Bocase. After salutation, and dewtie done, 
with som other tauike, I asked hir, whie she wold leese soch 
pastime in the Parke? smiling she answered me: I wisse, all 
their sporte in the Parke is but a shadoe to that pleasure, that I 
find in Plato: Alas good folke, they neuer felt, what trewe 
pleasure ment. And howe came you Madame, quoth I, to this 
deepe knowledge of pleasure, and what did chieflie allure you 
vnto it: seinge, not many women, but verie itwe. men haue 
atteined thereunto. I will tell you, quoth she, and tell you 
a troth, which perchance ye will meruell at. One of the 
greatest benefites, that euer God gaue me, is, that he sent me 
so sharpe and seuere Parentes, and so ientle a scholemaster. 
For whe I am in presence either of father or mother, whether 
I speake, kepe silence, sit, stand, or go, eate, drinke, be merie, 
or sad, be sowyng, plaiyng, dauncing, or doing anie thing els, 
I must do it, as it were, in soch weight, mesure, and number, 
euen so perfitelie, as God made the world, or else I am so 
sharplie taunted, so cruellie threatened, yea presentlie some 
tymes, with pinches, nippes, and bobbes, and other waies, which 



202 T'he first booke teachyng 

I will not name, for the honor I beare them, so without 
measure misordered, that I thinke my selfe in hell, till tyme 
cum, that I must go to M. Ehner^ who teacheth me so ientlie, 
so pleasantlie, with soch faire allurementes to learning, that I 
thinke all the tyme nothing, whiles I am with him. And 
when I am called from him, I fall on weeping, because, what 
soeuer I do els, but learning, is ful of grief, trouble, feare, and 
whole misliking vnto me: And thus my booke, hath bene so 
moch my pleasure, & bringeth dayly to me more pleasure & 
more, that in respect of it, all other pleasures, in very deede, be 
but trifles and troubles vnto me. I remember this talke gladly, 
both bicause it is so worthy of memorie, & bicause also, it was 
the last talke that euer I had, and the last tyme, that euer I 
saw that noble and worthie Ladie. 

I could be ouer long, both in shewinge iust causes, and in 
recitinge trewe examples, why learning shold be taught, rather 
by loue than feare. He that wold see a perfite discourse of it, 
Sturmius ^^^ ^'"^ ^^"^^ ^^"^^ learned treatese, which my frende 

de Inst. loan. Sturf7i'ius wrote de inst'itutlone Pn'ncipis, to 

Princ. the Duke of Cleues. 

The godlie counsels of Salomon and lesus the Sonne of 
Qui par- Sirach^ for sharpe kepinge in, and bridleinge of 

cit virgas, youth, are ment rather, for fatherlie correction, 

odit fihu. then masterlie beating, rather for maners, than for 

learninge: for other places, than for scholes. For God forbid, 
but all euill touches, wantonnes, lyinge, pickinge, slouthe, will, 
stubburnnesse, and disobedience, shold be with sharpe chastise- 
met, daily cut away. 

This discipline was well knowen, and diligentlie vsed, 
among the Gracians^ and old Romanes, as doth appeare in 
Aristophanes, Isocrates, and Plato, and also in the Comedies of 
Plaiitus: where we see that children were vnder the rule of 
three persones: Praceptore, Padagogo, Parente: the scholemaster 
I Schole- taught him learnyng with all ientlenes : the 

master. Gouernour corrected his maners, with moch 

2. Gouer- sharpenesse : The father, held the sterne of his 

nour. whole obedience : And so, he that vsed to teache, 

3. Father. jjj j-^Qt commolie vse to beate, but rem.itted that 
ouer to an other mans charge. But what shall we saie, whan 
now in our dayes, the scholemaster is vsed, both for Praceptor 



the brynging vp of youth. 203 

in learnyng, and Pcedagogus in maners. Surelie, I wold he 
shold not cofound their offices, but discreteh'e vse the dewtie 
of both so, that neither ill touches shold be left vnpunished, nor 
ientlesse in teaching anie wise omitted. And he shall well do 
both, if wiselie he do appointe diuersitie of tyme, & separate 
place, for either purpose : vsing alwaise soch discrete modera- 
tion, as the scholehouse should be counted a 
sanctuarie against feare: and verie well learning, a hofse^^°^ 
common perdon for ill doing, if the fault, of it 
selfe be not ouer heinous. 

And thus the children, kept vp in Gods feare, and preserued 
by his grace, finding paine in ill doing, and pleasure in well 
studiyng, shold easelie be brought to honestie of life, and 
perfitenes of learning, the onelie marke, that good and wise 
fathers do wishe and labour, that their children, shold most 
buselie, and carefullie shot at. 

There is an other discommoditie, besides crueltie in schole- 
masters in beating away the loue of learning from 
childre, which hindreth learning and vertue, and Fndand 
good bringing vp of youth, and namelie yong brought vp 
ientlemen, verie moch in England. This fault with to 
is cleane contrary to the first. I wished before, bertie ' 
to haue loue of learning bred vp in children : 
I wishe as moch now, to haue yong men brought vp in good 
order of liuing, and in some more seuere discipline, the 
commonlie they be. We haue lacke in England of soch good 
order, as the old noble Persians so carefullie vsed: 
whose children, to the a^e of xxi. yeare, were ^,."''- I; , 

• 1 I -(-11 Lyri red. 

brought vp m learnyng, and exercises of labor, 
and that in soch place, where they should, neither see that was 
vncumlie, nor heare that was vnhonest. Yea, a yong ientlema 
was neuer free, to go where he would, and do what he liste him 
self, but vnder the kepe, and by the counsell, of some graue 
gouernour, vntill he was, either maryed, or cald to beare some 
office in the common wealth. 

And see the great obedience, that was vsed in old tyme to 
fathers and gouernours. No sonne, were he neuer so old of 
yeares, neuer so great of birth, though he were a kynges sonne, 
might not mary, but by his father and mothers also consent. 
Cyrus the great, after he had conquered Babylon^ and subdewed 



204 '^^^ T^W/ booke teachyjig 

Riche king Croesus with whole Asia minora cummyng tryumph- 

antlie home, his vncle Cyaxeris offered him his daughter to 

wife. Cyrus thanked his vncle, and praised the maide, but for 

mariage he answered him with thies wise and sweete wordes, as 

they be vttered by Xenophon^ w KvaPdorj, to 
Xen. 8. Cv- / ■> ^ ■' \ \ ^^ \ t " . 

ri Pad '^^ jevo^ eiraivWj KUi rrjv iraiba., kul bcopa 

/SovXofiat Si, e(f)r], avv rfj rov 'rrarp6<i <yv(iO[xr) 

Kol [r^] TTj^ fj,7)rp6<; ravrd aot crvvaiveaai, &c., that is to say: 

Vncle Cyaxeris^ I commend the stocke, I like the maide, and 

I allow well the dowrie, but (sayth he) by the counsell and 

consent of my father and mother, I will determine farther of 

thies matters. 

Strong Samson also in Scripture saw a maide that liked him, 

but he spake not to hir, but went home to his father, and his 

mother, and desired both father and mother to make the 

mariage for him. Doth this modestie, doth this obedience, 

that was in great kyng Cyrus^ and stoute Satnson^ remaine in 

our yongmen at this daie ? no surelie : For we liue not 

longer after them by tyme, than we liue farre different from 

them by good order. Our tyme is so farre from that old 

discipline and obedience, as now, not onelie yong ientlemen, but 

euen verie girles dare without all feare, though not without 

open shame, where they list, and how they list, marie theniv 

selues in spite of father, mother, God, good order, and all. 

The cause of this euill is, that youth is least looked vnto, when 

they stand [in] most neede of good kepe and regard. It auail- 

eth not, to see them well taught in yong yeares, and after wha 

they cum to lust and youthfull dayes, to giue them licence to 

liue as they lust them selues. For, if ye suffer the eye of a 

yong lentleman, once to be entangled with vaine sightes, and 

the eare to be corrupted with fond or filthie taulke, the mynde 

shall quicklie fall seick, and sone vomet and cast vp, all the 

holesome doctrine, that he receiued in childhoode, though he 

were neuer so well brought vp before. And being ons inglutted 

with vanitie, he will streight way loth all learning, and all good 

counsell to the same. And the parentes for all their great cost 

Great mes and charge, reape onelie in the end, the frute 

sonnes of grief and care. 

j^°'^^L This euill, is not common to poore men, as God 

vp. " will haue it, but proper to riche and great mens 



the bryngmg vp of youth. 205 

children, as they deserue it. In deede from seuen, to seuentene, 
yong ientlemen commonlie be carefullie enough brought vp : But 
from seuentene to seuen and twentie (the most dangerous tyme of 
all a mans life, and most slipperie to stay well in) they haue 
commonlie the reigne of all licens in their owne ^j^^ ^^^^^ 
hand, and speciallie soch as do liue in the Court. fond fa- 
And that which is most to be merueled at, *e's- 
commonlie, the wisest and also best men, be found the fondest 
fathers in this behalfe. And if som good father wold seick 
some remedie herein, yet the mother (if the house hold of our 
Lady) had rather, yea, & will to, haue her sonne cunnyng & 
bold, in making him to lyue trimlie when he is yong, than by 
learning and trauell, to be able to serue his Prince and his 
contrie, both wiselie in peace, and stoutelie in warre, whan he 
is old. 

The fault is in your selues, ye noble mens sonnes, and 
therefore ye deserue the greater blame, that 
commonlie, the meaner mens children, cum to ^^^ sonnes 
be, the wisest councellours, and greatest doers, come to 
in the weightie affaires of this Realme. And fw\-^" 
why ? for God will haue it so, of his prouidence : 
bicause ye will haue it no otherwise, by your negligence. 

And God is a good God, & wisest in all his doinges, that 
will place vertue, & displace vice, in those Nobilitie 
kingdomes, where he doth gouerne. For he without 
knoweth, that Nobilitie, without vertue and wisedome. 
wisedome, is bloud in deede, but bloud trewelie, without bones 
& sinewes : & so of it selfe, without the other, verie weeke to 
beare the burden of weightie affaires. 

The greatest shippe in deede commonlie carieth the greatest 
burden, but yet alwayes with the greatest ieoperdie, not onelie 
for the persons and goodes committed vnto it, Nobilitie 
but euen for the shyppe it selfe, except it be with wise- 
gouerned, with the greater wisdome. dome. 

But Nobilitie, gouerned by learning and wisedome, is 
in deede, most like a faire shippe, 
haviyng tide and winde at will, vnder 
the reule of a skilfiall master : whan Nobilite with 
contrarie wise, a shippe, caried, yea 
with the hiest tide & greatest winde. 



Wisedom. 



Out wise- 
dome. 



2o6 The first booke teachyng 

lacking a skilfull master, most commonlie, doth either, sinck it 

selfe vpo sandes, or breake it selfe vpon rockes. And euen so, 

how manie haue bene, either drowned in vaine 

Vame plea- pleasure, or ouerwhelmed by stout wilfulnesse, 

stoute wil- th^ histories of England be able to affourde ouer 

fulnes, twu many examples vnto vs. Therfore, ye great and 

greatest noble mens children, if ve will haue rightfullie 

enemies to , . i ■ • i • i i i • i 

Nobilitie. ^"^^ praise, and enioie surelie that place, which 

your fathers haue, and elders had, and left vnto 

you, ye must kepe it, as they gat it, and that is, by the onelie 

waie, of vertue, wisedome, and worthinesse. 

For wisedom, and vertue, there be manie faire examples in 
this Court, for yong lentlemen to folow. But they be, like 
faire markes in the feild, out of a mans reach, to far of, to shote 
at well. The best and worthiest men, in deede, be somtimes 
seen, but seldom taulked withall : A yong lentleman, may 
somtime knele to their person, smallie vse their companie, for 
their better instruction. 

But yong lentlemen ar faine commonlie to do in the Court, 
as yong Archers do in the feild : that is take soch markes, as be 
111 compa- "'^ them, although they be neuer so foule to 

nie maireth shote at. I meene, they be driuen to kepe 
yout'^- companie with the worste : and what force ill 

companie hath, to corrupt good wittes, the wisest men know 
best. 

And not ill companie onelie, but the ill opinion also of the 
most part, doth moch harme, and namelie of 
iudceth those, which shold be wise in the trewe de- 

worst of the cyphring, of the good disposition of nature, of 

best natures cumlinesse in Courtlie maners, and all right 
in youth. j • r 

■^ doinges or men. 

But error and phantasie, do commonlie occupie, the place 

of troth and iudgement. For, if a yong ientleman, be demeure 

and still of nature, they say, he is simple and lacketh witte : if 

he be bashefull, and will soone blushe, they call him a babishe 

and ill brought vp thyng, when Xenophon doth 
Xen. tn I. preciselie note in Cyrus ^ that his bashfulnes in 

youth, was y^ verie trewe signe of his vertue & 
The Grace stoutnes after: If he be innocent and ignorant of 

in Courte. jj|^ j-^g^. ^^^^ j^g jg j-^jg^ ^nd hath no grace, so 



the brynging vp of youth. 207 

vngraciouslie do som gracelesse men, misuse the faire and 

godlie word grace. 

But if ye would know, what grace they meene, go, and 

looke, and learne emonges them, and ye shall see that it is : 

First, to blush at nothing. And blushyng in youth, sayth 

Aristotle is nothyng els, but feare to do ill : which feare beyng 

once lustely fraid away from youth, the foloweth, 

to dare do any mischief, to cotemne stoutly any roi^te° 

goodnesse, to be busie in euery matter, to be 

skilfull in euery thyng, to acknowledge no ignorance at all. 

To do thus in Court, is couted of some, the chief and greatest 

grace of all : and termed by the name of a 

vertue, called Corage & boldnesse, whan Crassus J^' ^' 

in Cicero teacheth the cleane contrarie, and that 

most wittelie, saying thus : Audere. cum bonis ^, , , 

/ • r, V, -A . J. Boldnes 

etiarn rebus contunaufn^ per seipsum est rnagnopere ^^^ j,^ ^ 

fugiendum. Which is to say, to be bold, yea good mat- 
in a good matter, is for it self, greatlie to be ^^''' "°*^ ^° 
, ^ 1 ° be praised. 
exchewed. 

Moreouer, where the swing goeth, there to follow, fawne, 
flatter, laugh and lie lustelie at other mens liking. More 
To face, stand formest, shoue backe : and to the Grace of 
meaner man, or vnknowne in the Court, to Courte. 
seeme som what sokmie, coye, big, and dangerous of looke, 
taulk, and answere : To thinke well of him selfe, to be lustie 
in contemning of others, to haue some trim grace in a priuie 
mock. And in greater presens, to beare a braue looke : to be 
warlike, though he neuer looked enimie in the face in warre : 
yet som warlike signe must be vsed, either a slouinglie busking, 
or an ouerstaring frounced hed, as though out of euerie heeres 
toppe, should suddenlie start out a good big othe, when nede 
requireth, yet praised be God, England hath at 
this time, manie worthie Capitaines and good warre, best 
souldiours, which be in deede, so honest of ofconditi- 
behauiour, so cumlie of conditions, so milde of ''"^* 
maners, as they may be examples of good order, to a good sort 
of others, which neuer came in warre. But to retorne, where 
I left : In place also, to be able to raise taulke, and make 
discourse of euerie rishe : to haue a verie good . 

will, to heare him selfe speake ; To be seene 



20 8 The first booke teachyng 

in Palmestrie, wherby to conueie to chast eares, soin fond or 
filthie taulke : 

And, if som Smithfeild Ruffian take vp, som strange 
going : som new mowing with the mouth : som wrinchyng 
with the shoulder, som braue prouerbe : som fresh new othe, 
that is not stale, but will rin round in the mouth : som new 
disguised garment, or desperate hat, fond in facion, or gaurish 
in colour, what soeuer it cost, how small soeuer his liuing be, 
by what shift soeuer it be gotten, gotten must it be, and vsed 
with the first, or els the grace of it, is stale and gone ; som 
part of this gracelesse grace, was discribed by me, in a little 
rude verse long ago. 

To laught\ to lie, to flatter^ to face : 
Foure waies in Court to win men grace. 
If thou be thrall to none of thiese^ 
Away good Peck goos^ hens lohn Cheese : 
Marke well my word^ and marke their dede^ 
. And thinke this verse part of thy Crede. 

Would to God, this taulke were not trewe, and that som 
mens doinges were not thus : I write not to hurte any, but to 

ICouncell. I proffit som : to accuse none, but to monish 
soch, who, allured by ill counsell, and folowing 
I ill example, cotrarie to their good bringyng vp, 
Copany. | ^nd against their owne good nature, yeld ouer- 
moch to thies folies and faultes : I know many seruing men, 
Seruinee ^^ good order, and well staide : And againe, I 

men. heare saie, there be som seruing men do but ill 

Terentuis. seruice to their yong masters. Yea, rede Terence 

Platitiis. and Plant, aduisedlie ouer, and ye shall finde in 

those two wise writers, almost in euery commedie, no vn- 
c . . thriftie yong man, that is not brought there vnto, 

i-uptelc-e by the sotle inticement of som lewd seruant. 

iuuenum. And euen now in our dayes Geta and Daui^ 

Gnatos and manie bold bawdie Phormios to, be preasing in, 
. „ to pratle on euerie stage, to medle in euerie 

t£e pauci matter, whan honest Parmenos shall not be hard, 

Parmeno- but beare small swing with their masters. Their 

companie, their taulke, their ouer great experience 



111 



lies. 



the brynging vp of youth. 209 

in mischief, doth easelie corrupt the best natures, and best 
brought vp wittes. 

But I meruell the lesse, that thies misorders be emonges 
som in the Court, for commonlie in the contrie Misorders 
also euerie where, innocencie is gone : Bashful- in the coun- 
nesse is banished : moch presumption in yougthe : ^'"^y- 
small authoritie in aige : Reuerence is negle6led : dewties be 
confounded : and to be shorte, disobedience doth ouerflowe the 
bankes of good order, almoste in euerie place, almoste in euerie 
degree of man. 

Meane men haue eies to see, and cause to lament, and 
occasion to complaine of thies miseries : but other haue 
authoritie to remedie them, and will do so to, whan God shall 
think time fitte. For, all thies misorders, be Goddes iuste 
plages, by his sufferance, brought iustelie vpon vs, for our 
sinnes, which be infinite in nomber, and horrible in deede, but 

namelie, for the greate abhominable sin of vn- ^ . 

' t> Contempt 

kmdnesse : but what vnkmdnesse r euen such of Gods 
vnkindnesse as was in the lewes, in contemninge trewe Re- 
Goddes voice, in shrinking fro his woorde, in ^^S'^"- 
wishing backe againe for Mgypt., in committing aduoultrie and 
hordom, not with the women, but with the doctrine of Babylon, 
did bring all the plages, destructions, and Captiuities, that fell 
so ofte and horriblie, vpon Israeli. 

We haue cause also in England to beware of vnkindnesse, 
who haue had, in so fewe yeares, the Candel of Goddes 
worde, so oft lightned, so oft put out, and yet 
Will venture by our vnthankrulnesse m doctrme 
and sinfull life, to leese againe, lighte, Candle, 
Candlesticke and all. 

God kepe vs in his feare, God grafte in vs the trewe 
knowledge of his woorde, with a forward will to folowe it, and 
so to bring forth the sweete fruites of it, & then shall he 
preserue vs by his Grace, from all maner of terrible dayes. 

The remedie of this, doth not stand onelie, Publkce 
in making good common lawes for the hole Leges. 
Realme, but also, (and perchance cheiflie) Bomestica 
in obseruing priuate discipline euerie man care- dlsciplina. 
fullie in his own house : and namelie, if speciall Cognitio 
regard be had to yougth : and that, not so moch, '''^'«- 



2 1 o 'The first booke teachyng 

in teaching them what is good, as in keping them from that, 
that is ill. 

Therefore, if wise fathers, be not as well waare in weeding 

from their Children ill thinges, and ill companie, 

ignotatto ^g they were before, in graftinge in them 

learninge, and prouiding for them good schole- 

masters, what frute, they shall reape of all their coste & care, 

common experience doth tell. 

Here is the place, in yougthe is the time whan som 

c ^^g ignorance is as necessarie, as moch knowledge, 

ignorance, and not in matters of our dewtie towardes God, 

as good as as som wilful wittes willinglie against their owne 

now e ge. knowledge, perniciouslie againste their owne 

conscience, haue of late openlie taught. In deede 5. Chryso- 

stome^ that noble and eloquent Doctor, in a 

turns . le sermon contra fatum^ and the curious serchinge ot 

natiuities, doth wiselie sale, that ignorance therein, 

is better than knowledge: ' But to wring this sentence, to 

wreste thereby out of mens^andes, the knowledge of Goddes 

doctrine, is without all reason, against common sence, contrarie 

to the iudgement also of them, which be the discretest men, and 

best learned, on their own side. I know, lullanus 

luha. Apo- Apostata did so, but I neuer hard or red, that any 

auncyent father of the primitiue chirch, either 

thought or wrote so. 

But this ignorance in yougthe, which I spake on, or rather 

this simplicitie, or most trewlie, this innocencie, 

nnocency j^ j.|^^^ which the noble Persians^ as wise Xenophon 

doth testifie, were so carefull, to breede vp their 

yougth in. But Christian fathers commonlie do not so. And 

I will tell you a tale, as moch to be misliked, as the Persians 

example is to be folowed. 

This last somer, I was in a lentlemans house : where 
A childe ill ^ y<^"g childe, somewhat past fower yeare olde, 
brought cold in no wise frame his tonge, to saie, a litle 

^P- shorte grace : and yet he could roundlie rap out, 

so manie vgle othes, and those of the newest facion, as som 
good man of fourescore yeare olde hath neuer hard named 
before : and that which was most detestable of 
rentes. ^^^•> ^'s father and mother wold laughe at it. I 



the bryfjging vp of youth. 2 1 1 

moche doubte, what comforte, an other daie, this childe shall 
bring vnto them. This Childe vsing moche the companie of 
seruinge men, and geuing good eare to their taulke, did easelie 
learne, which he shall hardlie forget, all daies of his life here- 
after : So likewise, in the Covn'te, if a yong lentleman will 
ventur him self into the companie of Ruffians, it is ouer greate 
a ieopardie, lest, their facions, maners, thoughtes, taulke, and 
deedes, will verie sone, be euer like. The confounding of 
companies, breedeth confusion of good maners m compa- 
both in the Courte, and euerie where else. "i^- 

And it maie be a great wonder, but a greater shame, to vs 
Christian men, to vnderstand, what a heithen writer, Isocrates^ 
doth leaue in memorie of writing, concerning the 
care, that the noble Citie of Athens had, to bring 
vp their yougthe, in honest companie, and vertuous discipline, 
whose taulke in Greke, is, to this effect, in Englishe. 

" The Citie, was not more carefull, to see their Children 
"well taughte, than to see their yong men well 
" gouerned : which they brought to passe, not so in u rat. 
" much by common lawe, as by priuate discipline. 
" For, they had more regard, that their yougthe, by good order 
" shold not offend, than how, by lawe, they might be punished : 
" And if offense were committed, there was, neither waie to 
" hide it, neither hope of pardon for it. Good natures, were 
" not so moche openlie praised as they were secretlie marked, 
" and watchfullie regarded, lest they should lease the goodnes 
"they had. Therefore in scholes of singing and dauncing, and 
" other honest exercises, gouernours were appointed, more 
"diligent to ouersee their good maners, than their masters were, 
"to teach them anie learning. It was som shame to a yong 
" man, to be scene in the open market : and if for businesse, he 
" passed throughe it, he did it, with a meruelous modestie, and 
" bashefull facion. To eate, or drinke in a Tauerne, was not 
" onelie a shame, but also punishable, in a yong man. To 
" contrarie, or to stand in termes with an old man, was more 
" heinous, than in som place, to rebuke and scolde with his 
"owne father: with manie other mo good orders, and faire 
disciplines, which I referre to their reading, that haue lust 
to looke vpon the description of such a worthie common 
welthe. 

O 2 



212 T'he first booke teachyng 

And to know, what worthie frute, did spring of soch 
Good sede, worthie seade, I will tell yow the most meruell 

worthie of all, and yet soch a trothe, as no man shall 

^™^'^- denie it, except such as be ignorant in knowledge 

of the best stories. 

Athens^ by this discipline and good ordering of yougthe, did 

. , breede vp, within the circute of that one Citie, 

within the compas of one hondred yeare, within 

the memorie of one mans life, so manie notable Capitaines in 

warre, for worthinesse, wisdome and learning, as be scarse 

^ matchable no not in the state of Rome, in the 

Roma. L J J 1 • 

compas or those seauen hondred yeares, whan it 

florished moste. 

And bicause, I will not onelie saie it, but also proue it, the 
The noble names of them be these. MUt'iades^ Themhtocles^ 

Capitaines Xantippus, Pericles^ Cymon^ AkybiadeSy Thrasybulus^ 

of Athens. Conon^ Iph'icrates^ Xenophon^ Titnotheus^ Theopompiis^ 

Demetrius^ and diuers other mo : of which euerie one, maie 
iustelie be spoken that worthie praise, which was geuen to 
Sc'ipio Africanm^ who, Cicero douteth, whether he were, more 
noble Capitaine in warre, or more eloquent and wise councelor 
in peace. And if ye beleue not me, read dili- 
^viil. gentlie, /Etnilius Probus in Latin, and Plutarche 

Probus. in Greke, which two, had no cause either to 

Plutarckiis. flatter or lie vpon anie of those which I haue 
recited. 

And beside nobilitie in warre, for excellent and matchles 
The lear- masters in all maner of learninge, in that one 

ned of A- Citie, in memorie of one aige, were mo learned 

thenes. men, and that in a maner altogether, than all 

tyme doth remember, than all place doth afFourde, than all other 
tonges do conteine. And I do not meene of those Authors, 
which, by iniurie of tyme, by negligence of men, by crueltie of 
fier and sworde, be lost, but euen of those, which by Goddes 
grace, are left yet vnto us: of which I thank God, euen my 
poore studie lacketh not one. As, in Philosophie, Plato^ Arh- 
totle^ Xenophon^ Euclide and Theophrast : In eloquens and Ciuill 
lawe, Demosthenes^ MschineSy Lycurgus^ Dinarchus^ Demades^ 
Isocrates^ hcsus^ Lys'ios^ Antlsthenes^ Andocides : In histories, He- 
rodotus^ Thucydides^ Xenophon : and which we lacke, to our 



the brynging vp of youth. 213 

great losse, Theopompus and Eph\orus\ : In Poetrie, /Eschylus^ 
Sophocles^ Euripides^ Aristophanes^ and somwhat of Menander^ 
Deinosthenes sister Sonne. 

Now, let Italian, and Latin it self, Spanishe, French, 
Douch, and Englishe bring forth their lerning, 
and recite their Authors, Cicero onelie excepted, chiefly co'n- 
and one or two moe in Latin, they be all patched teined in 
cloutes and ragges, in comparison of faire wouen the Greke, 
broade clothes. And trewelie, if there be any ^^^^ ^^ 
good in them, it is either lerned, borowed, or 
stolne, from some one of those worthie wittes of Athens. 

The remembrance of soch a common welthe, vsing soch 
discipline and order for yougthe, and thereby bringing forth to 
their praise, and leaning to vs for our example, such Capitaines 
for warre, soch Councelors for peace, and matcheles masters, 
for all kinde of learninge, is pleasant for me to recite, and not 
irksum, I trust, for other to heare, except it be soch, as make 
neither counte of vertue nor learninge. 

And whether, there be anie soch or no, I can not well tell : 
yet I heare saie, some yong lentlemen of oures, Contem- 
count it their shame to be counted learned : and ners of 
perchance, they count it their shame, to be learnyng. 
counted honest also, for I heare saie, they medle as litle with the 
one, as with the other. A meruelous case, that lentlemen 
shold so be ashamed of good learning, and neuer a whit ashamed 
of ill maners : soch do saie for them, that the 
lentlemen of France do so : which is a lie, as orFrance 
God will haue it. Langteus., and Bellceus that be 
dead, & the noble V'ldatn of Chartres, that is aliue, and infinite 
mo in France, which I heare tell of, proue this to be most false. 
And though som, in France, which will nedes be lentlemen, 
whether men will or no, and haue more ientleshipe in their hat, 
than in their hed, be at deedlie feude, with both learning and 
honestie, yet I beleue, if that noble Prince, king Francis the 
first were aliue, they shold haue, neither place in Frandscus 
his Courte, nor pension in his warres, if he had i. Nobilis. 
knowledge of them. This opinion is not French, Hanconl 
but plaine Turckishe : from whens, some Frenche 
fetche moe faultes, than this: which, I praie God, kepe out of 



2 1 4 T'he first booke teacliyng 

England, and send also those of oures better mindes, which 
bend them selues againste vertue and learninge, to the con- 
tempte of God, dishonor of their contrie to the hurt of mania 
others, and at length, to the greatest harme, and vtter destruction 
of themselues. 

Som other, hauing better nature, but lesse witte, (for ill 
commonlie, haue ouer moch witte) do not vtterlie dispraise 
Experience learning, but they sale, that without learning, 
without common experience, knowledge of all facions, and 

learnyng. haunting all companies, shall worke in yougthe, 

both wisdome, and habilitie, to execute anie weightie affaire. 
Surelie long experience doth profFet moch, but moste, and 
almost onelie to him (if we meene honest affaires) that is dili- 
gentlie before instructed with preceptes of well doinge. For 
good precepts of learning, be the eyes of the minde, to looke 
wiselie before a man, which waie to go right, and which not. 

Learning teacheth more in one yeare than experience in 

T twentie : And learnino; teacheth safelie. when 

Learnyng. . '^ ■ i i i • tt 

experience maketh mo miserable then wise. He 

Experiecc. hasardeth sore, that waxeth wise by experience. 

An vnhappie Master he is, that is made cunning by manie 

shippewrakes : A miserable merchant, that is neither riche or 

wise, but after som bankroutes. It is costlie wisdom, that is 

bought by experience. We know by experience it selfe, that it 

is a meruelous paine, to finde oute but a short waie, by long 

wandering. And surelie, he that wold proue wise by 

experience, he maie be wittie in deede, but euen like a swift 

runner, that runneth fast out of his waie, and vpon the night, 

he knoweth not whither. And verilie they be fewest of 

number, that be happie or wise by vnlearned experience. And 

looke well vpon the former life of those fewe, whether your 

example be old or yonge, who without learning haue gathered, 

by long experience, a litle wisdom, and som happines : and 

whan you do consider, what mischeife they haue committed, 

what dangers they haue escaped (and yet xx. for one, do 

perishe in the aduenture) than thinke well with your selfe, 

whether ye wold, that your owne son, should cum to wisdom 

and happines, by the waie of sgch experience or no. 

It is a notable tale, that old Syr Roger Chamloe^ sometime 



the brytiging vp of youth. 215 

cheife Justice, wold tell of him selfe. When he was Auncient 
in Inne of Courte, Certaine yong lentlemen 
were brought before him, to be corrected for ^J^ ^^,^"' 
certame misorders : And one or the lustiest same : 
Syr, we be yong ientlemen, and wisemen before vs, hauc 
proued all facions, and yet those haue done full well : this they 
said, because it was well knowen, that Syr Roger had bene a 
good feloe in his yougth. But he aunswered them verie wiselie. 
In deede saith he, in yougthe, I was, as you ar now: and I 
had twelue feloes like vnto my self, but not one of them came 
to a good ende. And therfore, folow not my example in yougth, 
but folow my councell in aige, if euer ye thinke to cum to this 
place, or to thies yeares, that I am cum vnto, lesse ye meete 
either with pouertie or Tiburn in the way. 

Thus, experience of all facions in yougthe, beinge, in profe, 
alwaise daungerous, in isshue, seldom lucklie, is 
a waie, in deede, to ouermoch knowledge, yet '""^ ^ ^ ^' 
vsed commonlie of soch men, which be either caried by som 
curious affection of mynde, or driuen by som hard necessitie of 
life, to hasard the triall of ouer manie perilous aduentures. 

Erasmus the honor of learning of all oure time, saide 
wiselie that experience is the common schole- Erasmtis 
house of foles, and ill men : Men, of witte and 
honestie, be otherwise instructed. For there be, Experiece, 
that kepe them out of fier, and yet was neuer house^of^' 
burned: That beware of water, and yet was neuer Foles, and 
nie drowninge : That hate harlottes, and was iH men. 
neuer at the stewes: That abhorre falshode, and neuer brake 
promis themselues. 

But will ye see, a fit Similitude of this aduentured experience. 
A Father, that doth let louse his son, to all experiences, is most 
like a fond Hunter, that letteth slippe a whelpe to the hole 
herde. Twentie to one, he shall fall vpon a rascall, and let 
go the faire game. Men that hunt so, be either ignorant 
persones, preuie stealers, or night walkers. 

Learning therefore, ye wise fathers, and good bringing vp, 
and not blinde & dangerous experience, is the next and readiest 
waie, that must leede your Children, first, to wisdom, and than 
to worthinesse, if euer ye purpose they shall cum there. 

And to saie all in shorte, though I lacke Authoritic to giue 



2 1 6 The Jirst booke teachyng 

counsell, yet I lacke not good will to wisshe, that the yougthe 
How expe- in England, speciallie lentlemen, and namelic no- 

rience may bilitie, shold be by good bringing vp, so grounded 

^ ^^' in iudgement of learninge, so founded in loue of 

honestie, as, whan they shold be called forthe to the execution 
of great affaires, in seruice of their Prince and contrie, they 
might be hable, to vse and to order, all experiences, were they 
good were they bad, and that, according to the square, rule, and 
line, of wisdom learning and vertue. 

And, I do not meene, by all this my taulke, that yong 
Dilieent lentlemen, should alwaies be poring on a booke, 

learninge and by vsing good studies, shold lease honest 

ought to be pleasure, and haunt no good pastime, I meene 

pleasant"' nothing lesse : For it is well knowne, that I both 

pastimes, like and loue, and haue alwaies, and do yet still 

namelie in a vse, all exercises and pastimes, that be fitte for my 
len eman. nature and habilitie. And beside naturall dispo- 

sition, in iudgement also, I was neuer, either Stoick in doctrine, 
or Anabaptist in Religion, to mislike a merie, pleasant, and 
plaifull nature, if no outrage be committed, against lawe, 
mesure, and good order. 

Therefore, I wold wishe, that, beside some good time, fitlic 
appointed, and constantlie kepte, to encrease by readinge, the 
knowledge of the tonges and learning, yong ientlemen shold 
Learnyng vse, and delite in all Courtelie exercises, and 

ioyned with lentlemanlike pastimes. And good cause whie: 
pastimes. Yqy the self same noble Citie of Athenes, iustlie 

commended of me before, did wiselie and vpon great considera- 
tion, appoint, the Muses, Apollo^ and Pallas^ to be patrones of 
., learninge to their yougthe. For the Muses, 

besides learning, were also Ladies of dauncinge, 
Apollo. mirthe and ministrelsie: ApoUo^wviS god of shooting, 

p ., and Author of cunning playing vpo Instrumentes: 

Pallas also was Laidie mistres in warres. Wher- 
bie was nothing; else ment, but that learninge shold be alwaise 
mingled, with honest mirthe, and cumlie exercises: and that 
warre also shold be gouerned by learning, and moderated by 
wisdom, as did well appeare in those Capitaines of Athenes 
named by me before, and also in Scipio &: Casar^ the two 
Diamondes of Rome. 



the brynging vp of youth. 217 

And Pallas^ was no more feared, in weering /Egida^ tha she 
was praised, for chosing Oliua: whereby shineth Learninsr 
the glory of learning, which thus, was Gouernour rewleth 
& Mistres, in the noble Citie of Athcncs^ both of both warre 
warre and peace. ""^^ l^^"^^' 

Therefore, to ride cumlie : to run faire at the tilte or ring : 
to plaie at all weapones: to shote faire in bow, or surelie in gon: 
to vaut lustely : to runne : to leape : to wrestle : 
to swimme: To daunce cumlie: to sing, and playe times that 
of instrumentes cunnyngly: to Hawke: to hunte: be fitte for 
to playe at tennes, & all pastimes generally, which Courthe_ 
be ioyned with labor, vsed in open place, and on 
the day light, conteining either some fitte exercise for warre, or 
some pleasant pastime for peace, be not onelie cumlie and decent, 
but also verie necessarie, for a Courtlie lentleman to vse. 

But, of all kinde of pastimes, fitte for a lentleman, I will, 
godwilling, in fitter place, more at large, declare fullie, in my 
booke of the Cockpitte: which I do write, to 
satisfie som, I trust, with som reason, that be -..^ *^ 
more curious, in marking other mens doinges, than 
carefull in mendyng their owne faultes. And som also will 
nedes busie them selues in merueling, and adding thereunto 
vnfrendlie taulke, why I, a man of good yeares, and of no ill 
place, I thanke God and my Prince, do make choise to spend 
soch tyme in writyng of trifles, as the schole of shoting, the 
Cockpitte, and this booke of the first Principles of Grammer, 
rather, than to take some weightie matter in hand, either of 
Religion, or Ciuill discipline. 

Wise men I know, will well allow of my choise herein: and 
as for such, who haue not witte of them selues, but must learne 

of others, to iudge right of mens doynses, let them 

J .u I ■ v> . u • k- § / D *• A booke of 

read that wise roet Horace in his Arte roetica^ ^ j^^-j jj^l^ 

who willeth wisemen to beware, of hie and loftie beareth the 

Titles, For, great shippes, require costlie tack- brag of o- 

ling, and also afterward dangerous gouernment: promise 

Small boates, be neither verie chargeable in 

makyng, nor verie oft in great ieoperdie : and yet they cary 

many tymes, as good and costlie ware, as greater vessels do. 

A meane Argument, may easelie beare, the light burden of 

a small faute, and haue alwaise at hand, a ready excuse for 



2 1 8 'The first booke teachyng 

ill handling: And, some praise it is, if it so chaunce, to be 

The right better in deede, than a man dare venture to 

choise, to seeme. A hye title, doth charge a man, with 

chose a fitte the heauie burden, of to great a promise : and 

t^TwUe'^'^ therefore sayth Horace verie wittelie, that, that 

vpon. Poete was a verie foole, that began hys booke, 

Hor. in with a goodlie verse in deede, but ouer proude 

Arte Poet. a promise. 

Fortunam Pr'iatni cantabo ^ noh'ile helium., 

And after, as wiselie. 

Quanta rcdfiiis hic^ qui nil molitur inepte. etc. 

Meening Homer., who, within the compasse of a smal 
jr ^j^ Argument, of one harlot, and of one good wife, 

wisdom ill did vtter so moch learning in all kinde of sciences, 

choice of as, by the iudgement of ^lintiliati^ he deserueth 

his Argu- gQ j^jg ^ praise, that no man yet deserued to sit 

in the second degree beneth him. And thus moch 
out of my way, concerning my purpose in spending penne, and 
paper, & tyme, vpo trifles, & namelie to aunswere some, that 
haue neither witte nor learning, to do any thyng them selues, 
neither will nor honestie, to say well of other. 

To ioyne learnyng with cumlie exercises, Conto Baldescer 
y, p . Castiglione in his booke, Cortegiano., doth trimlie 

tegian, an teache : which booke, aduisedlie read, and dili- 

excellent gentlie folowed, but one yeare at home in 

booke for a England, would do a yong ientleman more good, 

I wisse, then three yeares trauell abrode spent in 
Italie. And I meruell this booke, is no more read in the Court, 
than it is, seyng it is so well translated into English by a worthie 

Ientleman Syr Th. Hohbiey who was many wayes 
Hobbve' ^^ furnished with learnyng, and very expert in 

knowledge of diuers tonges. 
And beside good preceptes in bookes, in all kinde of tonges, 
this Court also neuer lacked many faire examples, for yong 
Examples icntlemen to folow : And surelie, one example, 

better then is more valiable, both to good and ill, than xx. 

preceptes. preceptes written in bookes : and so PlatOy not in 

one or two, but diuersc places, doth plainlie teach. 



the brynging vp of youth. 219 

If kyng Edward had liued a litle longer, his onely example 
had breed soch a rase of worthie learned ientlemen, 
as this Realme neuer yet did affourde. "'-^ ' ' ' 

And, in the second degree, two noble Primeroses of 
Nobilitie, the yonp; Duke of SufFolke, and Lord .p, 
H. Matreuers^ were soch two examples to the Duke of 
Court for learnyng, as our tyme may rather wishe, Suffolke, 
than looke for agayne. L. H. Mar- 

At Cambrige also, in S. lohns Colledge, in i^euers. 
my tyme, I do know, that, not so much the good statutes, as two 
Ientlemen, of worthie memorie Syr lohn Cheke^ 
and Do(5tour Readman^ by their onely example rj 7 
of excellency in learnyng, of godlynes in liuyng, of 
diligecie in studying, of councell in exhorting, of good order in 
all thyng, did breed vp, so many learned men, in 
that one College of S. lohns, at one time, as I ^' ^^"'^' 
beleue, the whole Vniuersitie of Louaine^ in many 
yeares, was neuer able to affourd. 

Present examples of this present tyme, I list not to 
touch : yet there is one example, for all the Ien- 
tlemen of this Court to folow, that may well %fsabcih 
satisfie them, or nothing will serue them, nor no 
example moue them, to goodnes and learning. 

It is your shame, (I speake to you all, you yong Ientlemen 
of England) that one mayd should go beyond you all, in excel- 
lencie of learnyng, and knowledge of diuers tonges. Pointe 
forth six of the best giuen Ientlemen of this Court, and all they 
together, shew not so much good will, spend not so much tyme, 
bestow not so many houres, dayly orderly, & constantly, for the 
increase of learning & knowledge, as doth the Queenes Maiestie 
her selfe. Yea I beleue, that beside her perfit readines, in 
Lat'in^ Italian^ French^ &c Spanish^ she readeth here now at 
Windsore more Greeke euery day, than some Prebendarie of 
this Chirch doth read Latin in a whole weeke. And that 
which is most praise worthie of all, within the walles of her 
priuie chamber, she hath obteyned that excellencie of learnyng, 
to vnderstand, speake, Sc write, both wittely with head, and 
faire with hand, as scarse one or two rare wittes in both the 
Vniuersities haue in many yeares reached vnto. Amongest 
all the benefites yt God hath blessed me with all, next the 



220 T^ he first booke teachyng 

knowledge of Christes true Religion, I counte this the greatest, 

that it pleased God to call me, to be one poore minister in 

settyng forward these excellent giftes of learnyng in this most 

excellent Prince. Whose onely example, if the rest of our 

nobilitie would folow, than might England be, 

pies haue ^^"^ learnyng and wisedome in nobilitie, a spectacle 

more force, to all the world beside. But see the mishap of 

then good vtx&Vi : The best examples haue neuer such forse 

examples. , i i t • i- i 

to moue to any goodnes, as the bad, vame, light 

and fond, haue to all ilnes. 

And one example, though out of the compas of learning, 
yet not out of the order of good maners, was notable in this 
Courte, not fullie xxiiij. yeares a go, when all the actes of 
Parlament, many good Proclamations, diuerse strait commaunde- 
mentes, sore punishment openlie, speciall regarde priuatelie, cold 
not do so moch to take away one misorder, as the example of 
one big one of this Courte did, still to kepe vp the same: The 
memorie whereof, doth yet remaine, in a common prouerbe of 
Birching lane. 

Take hede therfore, ye great ones in y^ Court, yea though 
Great men Y^ ^^ 7^ greatest of all, take hede, what ye do, 

in Court, take hede how ye Hue. For as you great ones 

by their yse to do, SO all nieane men loue to do. You be 

mai^'or' '" deed, makers or marrers, of all mens maners 

marre, all within the Realme. For though God hath placed 

other mens yow, to be cheife in making of lawes, to beare 

maners. greatest authoritie, to commaund all others : yet 

God doth order, that all your lawes, all your authoritie, all your 
commaundementes, do not halfe so moch with meane men, as 
doth your example and maner of liuinge. And 
r"u to ^'^^ example euen in the greatest matter, if yow 

your selues do serue God gladlie and orderlie for 
conscience sake, not coldlie, and somtyme for maner sake, you 
carie all the Courte with yow, and the whole Realme beside, 
earnestlie and orderlie to do the same. If yow do otherwise, 
yow be the onelie authors, of all misorders in Religion, not 
onelie to the Courte, but to all England beside. Infinite shall 
be made cold in Religion by your example, that neuer were 
hurt by reading of bookes. 

And in meaner matters, if three or foure great ones in 



the brynging vp of youth. 221 

Courte, will nedes outrage in apparell, in huge hose, in mon- 
strous hattes, in gaurishe colers, let the Prince Pro- 
clame, make Lawes, order, punishe, commaunde /■''ampe 

. ' . . . ^ in apparell. 

euerie gate in London dailie to be watched, let all 
good men beside do euerie where what they can, surelie the 
misorder of apparell in mean men abrode, shall neuer be 
amended, except the greatest in Courte will order and mend 
them selues first. I know, som greate and good ones in Courte, 
were authors, that honest Citizens of London, shoulde watche 
at euerie gate, to take misordered persones in apparell. I know, 
that honest Londoners did so: And I sawe, which I sawe than, 
& reporte now with some greife, that som Courtlie men were 
offended with these good men of London. And that, which 
greued me most of all, I sawe the verie same tyme, for all theis 
good orders, commaunded from the Courte and executed in 
London, I sawe I say, cum out of London, euen ,, . 
vnto the presence of the Prince, a great rable of Vshers, '& 
meane and light persons, in apparell, for matter, Scholers 
against lawe, for making, against order, for facion, ° ^"^^' 
namelie hose, so without all order, as he thought himselfe most 
braue, that durst do most in breaking order and was most 
monsterous in misorder. And for all the great commaunde- 
mentes, that came out of the Courte, yet this bold misorder, 
was winked at, and borne withall, in the Courte. I thought, 
it was not well, that som great ones of the Court, durst declare 
themselues offended, with good men of London, for doinge their 
dewtie, & the good ones of the Courte, would not shew them- 
selues offended, with ill men of London, for breaking good 
order. I fownde thereby a sayinge of Socrates to be most trewe 
that ill men be more hastie, than good men be forwarde, to 
prosecute their purposes, euen as Christ himselfe saith, of the 
Children of light and darknes. 

Beside apparell, in all other thinges to, not so moch, good 
lawes and strait commaundementes as the example and maner 
of liuing of great men, doth carie all meane men euerie where, 
to like, and loue, & do, as they do. For if but two or three 
noble men in the Court, wold but beginne to Example 
shoote, all yong lentlemen, the whole Court, all in shoo- 
London, the whole Realme, wold straight waie *y"S- 
exercise shooting. 



222 T'he first booke teachyng 

What praise shold they wynne to themsehies, what com- 
moditie shold they bring to their contrey, that would thus 
deserue to be pointed at : Beholde, there goeth, the author of 
good order, the guide of good men. I cold say more, and yet 
not ouermuch. But perchance, som will say, I haue stepte to 
farre, out of my schole, into the common welthe, from teaching 
vy ■ - a yong scholar, to monishe greate and noble men: 

for great y^t I trust good and wise men will thinke and 

me, but for iudge of me, that my minde was, not so moch, 

great mens ^.^ ^^ \i\x%\Q and bold with them, that be great 

now, as to giue trewe aduise to them, that may 
be great hereafter. Who, if they do, as I wishe them to do, 
how great so euer they be now, by blood and other mens 
meanes, they shall becum a greate deale greater hereafter, by 
learninge, vertue, and their owne desertes: which is trewe praise, 
right worthines, and verie Nobilitie in deede. Yet, if som will 
needes presse me, that I am to bold with great men, & stray to 
farre from my matter, I will aunswere them with 
iS. Paul^ slue perc ontetione??!, sine quocun^ modo^ 
modo Christus pradicetur^ &c. euen so, whether in place, or out 
of place, with my matter, or beside my matter, if I can hereby 
either prouoke the good, or staye the ill, I shall thinke my 
writing herein well imployed. 

But, to cum downe, from greate men, and hier matters, to 
my litle children, and poore scholehouse againe, I will, God 
willing, go forwarde orderlie, as I purposed, to instructe 
Children and yong men, both for learninge and maners. 

Hitherto, I haue shewed, what harme, ouermoch feare 
bringeth to children : and what hurte, ill companie, and ouer- 
moch libertie breedeth in yougthe : meening thereby, that from 
seauen yeare olde, to seauentene, loue is the best allurement to 
learninge : from seauentene to seavien and twentie, that wise 
men shold carefullie see the steppes of yougthe surelie staide by 
good order, in that most slipperie tyme : and speciallie in the 
Courte, a place most dangerous for yougthe to liue in, without 
great grace, good regarde, and diligent looking to. 

Syr Richard Sackui/e, that worthy lentleman of worthy 
Trauelyng memorie, as I sayd in the begynnynge, in the 

into Ita- Queenes priuie Chamber at Windesore, after he 

^^^' had talked with me, for the right choice of a good 



the brynging vp of youth. 223 

witte in a child for learnyng, and of the trewe difference betwixt 
quicke and hard wittes, of alluring yong children by ientlenes 
to loue learnyng, and of the special! care that was to be had, to 
keepe yong men from licencious liuyng, he was most earnest 
with me, to haue me say my mynde also, what I thought, 
concernyng the fansie that many yong lentlemen of England 
haue to trauell abroad, and namely to lead a long lyfe in Italie. 
His request, both for his authoritie, and good will toward me, 
was a sufficient commaundement vnto me, to satisfie his 
pleasure, with vtteryng plainlie my opinion in that matter. 
Syr quoth I, I take goyng thither, and liuing there, for a yonge 
ientleman, that doth not goe vnder the kepe and garde of such 
a man, as both, by wisedome can, and authoritie dare rewle him, 
to be meruelous dangerous. And whie I said so than, I will 
declare at large now: which I said than priuatelie, and write 
now openlie, not bicause I do contemne, either the knowledge 
of strange and diuerse tonges, and namelie the 
Italian tonge, which next the Greeke and Latin ^ne ita- 
T Ti I 1 1 11 1 1 "^" tong. 

tonge, i like and loue aboue all other : or else 

bicause I do despise, the learning that is gotten, or the experi- 
ence that is gathered in strange contries : or for any priuate 
malice that beare to Italie : which contrie, and , . 

in it, namelie Rome, I haue alwayes speciallie 
honored: bicause, tyme was, whan Italie and 
Rome, haue bene, to the greate good of vs that now Hue, the 
best breeders and bringers vp, of the worthiest men, not onelie 
for wise speakinge, but also for well doing, in all Ciuill affaires, 
that euer was in the worlde. But now, that tyme is gone, and 
though the place remayne, yet the olde and present maners, do 
differ as farre, as blacke and white, as vertue and vice. Vertue 
once made that contrie Mistres ouer all the worlde. Vice now 
maketh that contrie slaue to them, that before, were glad to 
serue it. All men seeth it : They themselues confesse it, 
namelie soch, as be best and wisest amongest them. For sinne, 
by lust and vanitie, hath and doth breed vp euery where, 
common contept of Gods word, priuate contention in many 
families, open factions in euery Citie : and so, makyng them 
selues bonde, to vanitie and vice at home, they are content to 
beare the yoke of seruyng straungers abroad. Italie now, is not 
that Italie^ that it was wont to be : and therfore now, not so 



224 '^^'^^ /^Vj-/ booke teachyng 

fitte a place, as some do counte it, for yong men to fetch either 
wisedome or honestie from thence. For surelie, they will make 
other but bad Scholers, that be so ill Masters to them selues. 
Yet, if a ientleman will nedes trauell into Italie^ he shall do 
well, to looke on the life, of the wisest traueler, that euer 
traueled thether, set out by the wisest writer, that euer spake 
with tong, Gods doctrine onelie excepted : and that is f^lysses in 

Homere. Vlysses^ and his trauell, I wishe our 
ysses. trauelers to looke vpon, not so much to feare 

them, with the great daungers, that he many 
tymes suffered, as to instruct them, with his excellent wisedome, 
which he alwayes and euerywhere vsed. Yea euen those, that 
be learned and wittie trauelers, when they be disposed to prayse 
traueling, as a great commendacion, and the best Scripture they 
haue for it, they gladlie recite the third verse of Homere^ in his 
first booke of Odyssea^ conteinyng a great prayse of Vlysses^ for 

the witte he gathered, & wisedome he vsed in 

his trauehng. 
Which verse, bicause, in mine opinion, it was not made at 
the first, more naturallie in Greke by Homere^ nor after turned 
more aptelie into Latin by Horace^ than it was a good while 
ago, in Cambrige, translated into English, both plainlie for the 
sense, and roundlie for the verse, by one of the best Scholers, 
that euer S. lohns Colledge bred, M. Watson^ myne old frend, 
somtime Bishop of Lincolne, therfore, for their sake, that haue 
lust to see, how our English tong, in auoidyng barbarous 
ryming, may as well receiue, right quantitie of sillables, and 
trewe order of versifiyng (of which matter more at large here- 
after) as either Greke or Latin^ if a cunning man haue it in 
handling, I will set forth that one verse in all three tonges, for 
an Example to good wittes, that shall delite in like learned 
exercise. 

I^omcrus. 

iToKXfjciv 8' avOpwiTu^v X'^ev darea Kal voov eyvco. 

I^oratius. 

^li ?nofes hominum multorum vidit is' vrbes. 

M' 21iilatson. 

All trauellers do gladly report great prayse of Vlysses^ 

For that he knew many mens maners^ and saw many Cities. 



the brynging vp of youth. 



225 



(TToXt/rpOTTOJ. 

VlyssA 

[wok'iiJ.rjTis. 



Alcynoiis. 65. 1. 



And yet is not Vlyaes commended, so much, nor so oft, in 
Homere^ bicause he was iroXyrpoTro^;, that is, 
skilfull in many mes manners and facions, as 
bicause he was TroXv/xijTLf;, that is, wise in all 
purposes, & ware in all places : which wisedome and warenes 
will not serue neither a traueler, except Pallas be 
alwayes at his elbow, that is Gods speciall grace ^'^^^^^ from 
from heauen, to kepe him in Gods feare, in all 
his doynges, in all his ieorneye. For, he shall not alwayes 
in his absence out of England, light vpon a 
ientle Alcynous.^ and walke in his faire gardens 
full of all harmelesse pleasures : but he shall 
sometymes, fall, either into the handes of some 
cruell Cyclops^ or into the lappe of some wanton 
and dalying Dame Calypso : and so suffer the 
danger of many a deadlie Denne, not so full of 
perils, to distroy the body, as, full of vayne 
pleasures, to poyson the mynde. Some Siren 
shall sing him a song, sweete in tune, but 
sownding in the ende, to his vtter destruction. 
If Scylla drowne him not, Carybdis may fortune 
swalow hym. Some Circes shall make him, of 
a plaine English man, a right Italian. And at 
length to hell, or to some hellish place, is he likelie to go : from 
whence is hard returning, although one Vlysses., and that by 
Pallas ayde, and good cousell of Tiresias once .. , 
escaped that horrible Den of deadly darkenes. 

Therfore, if wise men will nedes send their sonnes into 
Italie^ let them do it wiselie, vnder the kepe and garde of him, 
who, by his wisedome and honestie, by his example and 
authoritie, may be hable to kepe them safe and sound, in the 
feare of God, in Christes trewe Religion, in good order and 
honestie of liuyng : except they will haue them run headling, 
into ouermany ieoperdies, as Flysses had done many tymes, if 
Pallas had not alwayes gouerned him : if he had not vsed, to 
stop his eares with waxe : to bind him selfe to ^5 
the mast of his shyp : to feede dayly, vpon that 68. k. 
swete herbe Moly with the blake roote and Moly Her- 
white floore, giuen vnto hym by Mercurie, to °^' 
auoide all the inchantmetes of Circes. Wherby, the Diuine 



Cyclops. 
Calypso. 

Sirents. 



Scylla. 

Caribdis.) 

Circes. 



(53. I. 
(55. e. 



,(55. 



(55. K. 



226 The Jirst booke teachyng 

Poete Homer merit couertlie (as wise and Godly men do iudge) 
. that loue of honestie, and hatred of ill, which 

Dauid more plainly doth call the feare of God : 
the onely remedie agaynst all inchantementes of sinne. 

I know diuerse noble personages, and many worthie lentle- 
men of England, whom all the Siren songes of Italie^ could 
neuer vntwyne from the maste of Gods word : nor no inchant- 
ment of vanitie, ouerturne them, from the feare of God, and 
loue of honestie. 

But I know as many, or mo, and some, sometyme my 
deare frendes, for whose sake I hate going into that coutrey the 
more, who, partyng out of England feruent in the loue of 
Christes doctrine, and well furnished with the feare of God, 
returned out of Italie worse transformed, than euer was any in 
Circes Court. I know diuerse, that went out of England, men 
of innocent life, men of excellent learnyng, who returned out 
of Italie^ not onely with worse maners, but also with lesse 
learnyng : neither so willing to Hue orderly, nor yet so hable to 
speake learnedlie, as they were at home, before they went 
abroad. And why ? Plato, y' wise writer, and worthy 
traueler him selfe, telleth the cause why. He went into Sicilia, 
a coutrey, no nigher Italy by site of place, tha Italie that is 
now, is like Sicilia that was the, in all corrupt maners and 
liceciousnes of life. Plato found in Sicilia, euery Citie full of 
vanitie, full of factions, euen as Italie is now. And as Hornere, 
like a learned Poete, doth feyne, that Circes, by pleasant in- 
chantmetes, did turne men into beastes, some into Swine, som 
into Asses, some into Foxes, some into Wolues etc. euen so 
Plat, ad Plato, like a wise Philosopher, doth plainelie 

Dionys. declare, that pleasure, by licentious vanitie, that 

Ep'^*^- 3- sweete and perilous poyson of all youth, doth 

ingender in all those, that yeld vp themselues to her, foure 
notorious properties. 

'i. \rjdi]v 

2. hvafxaOiav 

3. acppoavvrjp 

4. v^piv. 

The first, forgetfulnes of all good thinges learned before : 
^ the second, dulnes to receyue either learnyng or 

why men honestie euer after : the third, a mynde embracing 



The fruits 
of vayne 
pleasure. 



the brynging vp of youth. 227 

lightlie the worse opinion, and baren of discretion retume out 
to make trewe difference betwixt good and ill, We^lear- 
betwixt troth, and vanitie, the fourth, a proude ned and 
disdainfulnes of other good me, in all honest worse ma- 
matters. Homere and Plato^ haue both one "^"^^ ' 
meanyng, looke both to one end. For, if a ma p/^/^- 
inglutte himself with vanitie, or waiter in filthi- i^ed and ex- 
nes like a Swyne, all learnyng, all goodnes, is pounded, 
sone forgotten : Than, quicklie shall he becum A Swyne. 
a dull Asse, to vnderstand either learnyng or An Asse. 
honestie : and yet shall he be as sutle as a Foxe, A Foxe. 
in breedyng of mischief, in bringyng in misorder, 
with a busie head, a discoursing tog, and a factious harte, in 
euery priuate affaire, in all matters of state, with this pretie 
propertie, alwayes glad to commend the worse d(ppo<Tvvrj, 
partie, and euer ready to defend the falser Quid, at 
opinio. And why ? For, where will is giue 
from goodnes to vanitie, the mynde is sone caryed from right 
iudgement, to any fond opinion, in Religion, in Philosophie, or 
any other kynde of learning. The fourth fruite of vaine 
pleasure, by Homer and Platos iudgement, is pride 
in them selues, contempt of others, the very 
badge of all those that serue in Circes Court. The trewe 
meenyng of both Hotner and Plato^ is plainlie declared in one 
short sentence of the holy Prophet of God 
Hieremie^ crying out of the vaine h vicious life Hieremias 
of the Israelites. This people (sayth he) be 
fooles and dulhedes to all goodnes, but sotle, cunning and 
bolde, in any mischiefe. &c. 

The true medicine against the inchantmentes of Circes^ 
the vanitie of licencious pleasure, the inticementes of all sinne, 
is, in Homere^ the herbe Moly., with the blacke roote, and white 
flooer, sower at the first, but sweete in the end : which, 
Hesiodus termeth the study of vertue, hard and 
irksome in the beginnyng, but in the end, easie Hesiodus 
and pleasant. And that, which is most to be 
marueled at, the diuine Poete Homere sayth plainlie that this 
medicine against sinne and vanitie, is not found „ 

o ^ > rlomerus, 

out by man, but giuen and taught by God. And diuinus 
for some one sake, that will haue delite to read Poeta. 

P 2 



228 "The first booke teachyng 

that sweete and Godlie Verse, I will recite the very wordes of 
Homere and also turne them into rude English metre. 

yaXeirov Se r opvaaetv 
apSpdat rye dvrjroiai, Oeol Si re iravTa 8vpavrai. 

In English thus. 

2^0 mortall ma^ with sweat of browe^ or toile of minde^ 
But onely God^ who can do all^ that herhe doth finde. 

Plato also, that diuine Philosopher, hath many Godly 
medicines agaynst the poyson of vayne pleasure, in many 
places, but specially in his Epistles to Dionisius the tyrant of 

Sicilie ; yet agaynst those, that will nedes becum 
jjJQ ■ ^ beastes, with seruyng of Circes^ the Prophet 

Psal ^2 Dauid^ crieth most loude. Noli te fieri sicut equus et 

mulus : and by and by giueth the right medi- 
cine, the trewe herbe Moly^ In camo &' freno maxillas 
eorum constringe^ that is to say, let Gods grace be the bitte, 
let Gods feare be the bridle, to stay them from runnyng head- 
long into vice, and to turne them into the right way agayne. 

Dauid in the second Psalme after, giueth the 
' " ' same medicine, but in these plainer wordes, 

Diuerte a malo^ ^ fac bonum. But I am affraide, that ouer 
many of our trauelers into Italie^ do not exchewe the way to 
Circes Court : but go, and ryde, and runne, and flie thether, 
they make great hast to cum to her : they make great sute to 
serue her : yea, I could point out some with my finger, that 
neuer had gone out of England, but onelie to serue Circes^ in 
Italie. Vanitie and vice, and any licence to ill liuyng in 
England was counted stale and rude vnto them. And so, beyng 
Mules and Horses before they went, returned verie Swyne and 
Asses home agayne : yet euerie where verie Foxes with suttle 

and busie heades ; and where they may, verie 
Picture^of w^olues, with cruell malicious hartes. A mer- 

a knight of uelous monster, which, for filthines of liuyng, for 
Circes dulnes to learning him selfe, for wilinesse in 

°^^ ' dealing with others, for malice in hurting without 

cause, should carie at once in one bodie, the belie of a Swyne, 
the head of an Asse, the brayne of a Foxe, the wombe of 
a wolfe. If you thinke, we iudge amisse, and write to sore 



the brynging vp of youth. 229 

against you, heare, what the Italian sayth of the English man, 

what the master reporteth of the scholer : who 

vttereth playnlie, what is taught by him, and what lig^s^ju^fje. 

learned by you, saying, Englese Italianato^ e vn ment of 

diaholo .incarnato^ that is to say, you remaine men Englishme 

in shape and facion, but becum deuils in life . '°u^,-' ^^ 

and condition. This is not, the opinion of one, 

for some priuate spite, but the iudgement of all, in a common 

Prouerbe, which riseth, of that learnyng, and those maners, 

which you gather in Italic : a good Scholehouse jj^^ j^^^. 

of wholesome doctrine : and worthy Masters of lian diffa- 

commendable Scholers, where the JVIaster had "^^''^ ^^'^ 

rather diffame hym selfe for hys teachyng, than shame the 

not shame his Scholer for his learning. A good Enghshe 

nature of the maister, and faire conditions of the '^^^• 

scholers. And now chose you, you Italian English men, 

whether you will be angrie with vs, for calling you monsters, 

or with the Italiancs^ for callyng you deuils, or else with your 

owne selues, that take so much paines, and go so farre, to make 

your selues both. If some yet do not well vnder- ^^ g 

stand, what is an English man Italianated, I will lish man 

plainlie tell him. He, that by liuing, & traueling Italiana- 

in Italic^ bringeth home into Englad out of Italie^ 

the Religion, the learning, the policie, the experiece, the maners 

of Italie. That is to say, for Religion, : c ,• • 

. . J I 1 I /I Rehgion 

rapistrie or worse : for learnyng, lesse 

commonly than they caried out with 

them : for pollicie, a factious hart, a 

discoursing head, a mynde to medle in TheK 

all mens matters : for experience, 

plentie of new mischieues neuer 

knowne in England before : for maners, \^ Maners. / 

varietie of vanities, and chaunge of 

filthy lyuing. These be the inchantementes of Circes^ brought 

out of Italie^ to marre mens maners in England : much, by 

example of ill life, but more by preceptes of fonde y. ,■ 

bookes, of late translated out of Italian into bokes tras- 

English, sold in euery shop in London, com- lated into 

mended by honest titles the soner to corrupt "^ '^ ' 

honest maners : dedicated ouer boldlie to vertuous and honor- 



2 Learn- 



3 Pollicie. Uottenin 

(italie. 

4 Experi- 

ence. 



230 The Jirst booke teachyng 

able personages, the easielier to begile simple and innocet wittes. 
^^ It is pitie, that those, which haue authoritie and 

■^^^^ charge, to allow and dissalow bookes to be printed, 

be no more circumspect herein, than they are. Ten Sermons 
at Paules Crosse do not so moch good for mouyng me to trewe 
doctrine, as one of those bookes do harme, with inticing men 
to ill lining. Yea, I say farder, those bookes, tend not so moch 
to corrupt honest liuyng, as they do, to subuert trewe Religion. 
Mo Papistes be made, by your mery bookes of Italic^ than by 
your earnest bookes of Louain. And bicause our great 
Phisicians, do winke at the matter, and make no counte of this 
sore, I, though not admitted one of their felowshyp, yet hauyng 
bene many yeares a prentice to Gods trewe Religion, and trust 
to continewe a poore iorney man therein all dayes of my life, 
for the devvtie I owe, & loue I beare, both to trewe doctrine, 
and honest liuing-, though I haue no authoritie to amend the 
sore my selfe, yet I will declare my good will, to discouer the 
sore to others. 

S. Paul saith, that sectes and ill opinions, be the workes of 

. , „ . the flesh, and frutes of sinne, this is spoken, no 

more trewlie for the doctrine, than sensiblie for 

the reason. And why ? For, ill doinges, breed ill thinkinges. 

And of corrupted maners, spryng peruerted iudgementes. And 

how ? there be in man two speciall 
thinges : Mans will, mans mynde. 
Where will inclineth to goodnes, 
the mynde is bent to troth : Where will is caried from goodnes 
to vanitie, the mynde is sone drawne from troth to false 
opinion. And so, the readiest way to entangle the mynde with 
false doctrine, is first to intice the will to wanton liuyng. 
Therfore, when the busie and open Papistes abroad, could not, 
by their contentious bookes, turne men in England fast enough, 
from troth and right iudgement in doctrine, than the sutle and 
^^ secrete Papistes at home, procured bawdie bookes 

^^^^ to be translated out of the Italian tonge, whereby 

ouer many yong willes and wittes allured to wantonnes, do now 
boldly contemne all seuere bookes that sounde to honestie and 
godlines. In our forefathers tyme, whan Papistrie, as a standyng 
poole, couered and ouerflowed all England, fewe bookes were 
read in our tong, sauyng certaine bookes of Cheualrie, as they 



Voluntas "j ( Bonum 

V Respicit J 
Mens j (Verum. 



the brynging vp of youth. 231 

sayd, for pastime and pleasure, which, as some say, were made 
in Monasteries, by idle Monkes, or wanton Chanons : as one 
for example, Morte Arthure : the whole pleasure Morte Ar- 
of which booke standeth in two speciall poyntes, thur. 
in open mans slaughter, and bold bawdrye : In which booke 
those be counted the noblest Knightes, that do kill most men 
without any quarell, and commit fowlest aduoulteries by 
sutlest shiftes : as Sir Launcelote^ with the wife of king Arthure 
his master: Syr Tristram with the wife of king Marke his 
vncle : Syr Lamerocke with the wife of king Lote^ =s^ffl 

that was his own aunte. This is good stuffe, for ^^ 

wise men to laughe at, or honest men to take pleasure at. Yet 
I know, when Gods Bible was banished the Court, and Morte 
Arthure receiued into the Princes chamber. What toyes, the 
dayly readyng of such a booke, may worke in the will of a yong 
ientleman, or a yong mayde, that liueth welthelie and idlelie, 
wise men can iudge, and honest me do pitie. And yet ten 
Morte Arthures do not the tenth part so much harme, as one of 
these bookes, made in Ital'ie^ and translated in =g::5li 

England. They open, not fond and common ^^"^ 

wayes to vice, but such subtle, cunnyng, new, and diuerse 
shiftes, to cary yong willes to vanitie, and yong wittes to 
mischief, to teach old bawdes new schole poyntes, as the simple 
head of an English man is not hable to inuent, nor neuer was 
hard of in England before, yea when Papistrie ouerflowed all. 
Suffer these bookes to be read, and they shall soone displace all 
bookes of godly learnyng. For they, carying the will to 
vanitie, and marryng good maners, shall easily ^^^ 

corrupt the mynde with ill opinions, and false ^^ 

iudgement in doctrine : first, to thinke ill of all trewe Religion, 
and at last to thinke nothyng of God hym selfe, one speciall 
pointe that is to be learned in Italie^ and Italian =^;:a 

bookes. And that which is most to be lamented, ^^ 

and therfore more nedefull to be looked to, there be moe of 
these vngratious bookes set out in Printe within these fewe 
monethes, than haue bene sene in England many score yeare 
before. And bicauise our English men made Italians^ can not 
hurt, but certaine persons, and in certaine places, therfore these 
Italian bookes are made English, to bryng mischief enough 



232 T" he first booke teachyng 

openly and boldly, to all states great and meane, yong and old, 
cuery where. 

And thus yow see, how will intised to wantonnes, doth 
easelie allure the mynde to false opinions: and how corrupt 
maners in liuinge, brcede false iudgement in doctrine: how sinne 
and fleshlines, bring forth sectes and heresies: And therefore 
suffer not vaine bookes to breede vanitie in mens willes, if yow 
would haue Goddes trothe take roote in mens myndes. 

That Italian, that first inuented the Italian Prouerbe 
against our Englishe men Italianated, ment no more their 
rp, J _ vanitie in liuing, than their lewd opinion in 

lian pro- Religion. For, in calling them Deuiles, he carieth 

uerbe ex- them cleane from God : and yet he carieth them 

pounded. ^^ farder, than they willinglie go themselues, 

that is, where they may freely say their mindes, to the open 
contempte of God and all godlines, both in liuing and doctrine. 

And how? I will expresse how, not by a Fable of Homere^ 
nor by the Philosophic of Plato^ but by a plaine troth of 
Goddes word, sensiblie vttered by Dauid thus. Thies men, 
abhominabiles fa^'i in studijs suis^ thinke verily, and singe 
gladlie the verse before. Dixit itisipiens in Corde ;«<?, non est 
p Deus : that is to say, they geuing themselues vp to 

vanitie, shakinge of the motions of Grace, driuing 
from them the feare of God, and running headlong into all 
sinne, first, lustelie contemne God, than scornefullie mocke his 
worde, and also spitefullie hate and hurte all well willers 
thereof Than they haue in more reuerence, the triumphes of 
Petrarche: than the Genesis of Moses: They make more 
accounte of Tullies offices, than S. Paules epistles : of a tale in 
Bocace^ than a storie of the Bible. Than they counte as 
Fables, the holie misteries of Christian Religion. They make 
Christ and his Gospell, onelie serue Ciuill pollicie: Than 
neyther Religion cummeth amisse to them: In tyme they be 
Promoters of both openlie : in place againe mockers of both 
priuilie, as I wrote once in a rude ryme. 

l^ow new^ now olde^ now both^ now neither^ 

To serue the worldes course^ they care not with whether. 

For where they dare, in cumpanie where they like, they 



the brynging vp of youth. 233 

boldlie laughe to scorne both protestant and Papist. They 
care for no scripture: They make no coute of generall 
councels : they contcne the consent of the Chirch : They passe 
for no Doctores: They mocke the Pope: They raile on Luther: 
They allow neyther side : They like none, but onelie 
themselues : The marke they shote at, the ende they looke for, 
the heauen they desire, is onelie, their owne present pleasure, 
and priuate proffit : whereby, they plainlie declare, of whose 
schole, of what Religion they be : that is, Epicures in liuing, 
and ciOeui in doctrine : this last worde, is no more vnknowne 
now to plaine Englishe men, than the Person was vnknown 
sonityme in England, vntill som Englishe man tooke peines, to 
fetch that deuelish opinion out of Italic. Thies men, thus 
Italianated abroad, can not abide our Godlie -p^g i^^. 
Italian Chirch at home : they be not of that lia Chirche 
Parish, they be not of that felowshyp : they like ^" London, 
not yt preacher: they heare not his sermons: Excepte som- 
tymes for copanie, they cum thither, to heare the Italian tonge 
naturally spoken, not to hear Gods doctrine trewly preached. 

And yet, thies men, in matters of Diuinitie, openlie pretend 
a great knowledge, and haue priuatelie to them selues, a verie 
compendious vnderstanding of all, which neuertheles they will 
vtter when and where they liste: And that is this: All the 
mistcries of Moses^ the whole lawe and Cerimonies, the 
Psalmes and Prophetes, Christ and his Gospell, GOD and the 
Deuill, Heauen and Hell, Faith, Conscience, Sinne, Death, and 
all they shortlie wrap vp, they quickly expounde with this one 
halfe verse of Horace. 

Credat ludaus Appella. 

Yet though in Italic they may freely be of no Religion, as 
they are in Englande in verie deede to, neuerthelesse returning 
home into England they must countenance the profession of 
the one or the other, howsoeuer inwardlie, they laugh to 
scorne both. And though, for their priuate matters they can 
follow, fawne, and flatter noble Personages, contrarie to them 
in all respectes, yet commonlie they allie them- . . 

selues with the worst Papistes, to whom they be and'fmple- 
wedded, and do well agree togither in three tie agree in 
proper opinions: In open contempte of Goddes three opim- 
worde: in a secret securitie of sinne: and in 



2 34 '^he first hooke teachyng 

a bloodie desire to haue all taken away, by sword or burning, 

. that be not of their faction. They that do 

"^ ' read, with indifferent iudgement, Pygius and 

Machiaue- Machiaiiel^ two indifferent Patriarches of thies 

two Religions, do know full well that 1 say trewe. 

Ye see, what manners and doctrine, our Englishe men fetch 

out of Italie: For finding no other there, they can bring no 

Wise and Other hither. And therefore, manie godlie and 

honest tra- excellent learned Englishe men, not manie yeares 

uelers. ^g^^ (jjj make a better choice, whan open crueltie 

draue them out of this contrie, to place themselues there, where 

^ . Christes doctrine, the feare of God, punishment 

Gertnanie. ^ • i i- ■ i- r \ ■ i i • 

or smne, and disciphne or honestie, were had m 

speciall regarde. 

I was once in Italie my selfe: but I thanke God, my 
abode there, was but ix. dayes: And yet I sawe 
in that litle tyme, in one Citie, more libertie to 
sinne, than euer I hard tell of in our noble Citie of London in 
ix. yeare. I sawe, it was there, as free to sinne, 
not onelie without all punishment, but also 
without any mans marking, as it is free in the Citie of London, 
to chose, without all blame, whether a man lust to weare Shoo 
or pantocle. And good cause why: For being vnlike in troth 
of Religion, they must nedes be vnlike in honestie of lining. 
Seruice of -^^"^ blessed be Christ, in our Citie of London, 

God in commonlie the commandementes of God, be more 

England. diligentlie taught, and the seruice of God more 

reuerentlie vsed, and that daylie in many priuate mens houses, 
Seruice of than they be in Italie once a weeke in their 

God in I- common Chirches : where, masking Ceremonies, 

t^lie- to delite the eye, and vaine soundes, to please 

the eare, do quite thrust out of the Chirches, all seruice of 
The Lord QioA \\\ spirit and troth. Yea, the Lord Maior 

Maior of of London, being but a Ciuill officer, is corn- 

London, monlie for his tyme, more diligent, in punishing 

sinne, the bent enemie against God and good order, than all 
The In- ^^^ bloodie Inquisitors in Italie be in seauen yeare. 

quisitors in For, their care and charge is, not to punish 

^'^'i^ sinne, not to amend manners, not to purge 

doctrine, but onelie to watch and ouersee that Christes trewe 



London. 



the brynging vp of youth. 235 

Religion set no sure footing, where the Pope hath any 
Jurisdiction. I learned, when I was at Venice^ that there it is 
counted good pollicie, when there be foure or fiue 
brethren of one familie, one, onelie to marie : & f^" ""§ . ' 

lie poUicie. 

all the rest, to waulter, with as litle shame, in 
open lecherie, as Swyne do here in the common myre. Yea, 
there be as fayre houses of Religion, as great prouision, as 
diligent officers, to kepe vp this misorder, as Bridewell is, and 
all the Masters there, to kepe downe misorder. And therefore, 
if the Pope himselfe, do not onelie graunt pardons to furder 
thies wicked purposes abrode in Italie, but also (although this 
present Pope, in the beginning, made som shewe of misliking 
thereof) assigne both meede and merite to the maintenance of 
stewes and brothelhouses at home in Rome, than let wise men 
thinke Italie a safe place for holsom doctrine, and godlie 
manners, and a fitte schole for yong ientlemen of England to 
be brought vp in. 

Our Italians bring home with them other faultes from 
Italie, though not so great as this of Religion, yet a great deale 
greater, tha many good men can well beare. For commonlie 
they cum home, common contemners of mariage 
and readie persuaders of all other to the same : Contempt 

11 .... 01 manage. 

not because they loue vu'guiitie, nor yet because 
they hate prettie yong virgines, but, being free in Italie, to go 
whither so euer lust will cary them, they do not like, that lawe 
and honestie should be soch a barre to their like libertie at 
home in England. And yet they be, the greatest makers of 
loue, the daylie daliers, with such pleasant wordes, with such 
smilyng and secret countenances, with such signes, tokens, 
wagers, purposed to be lost, before they were purposed to be 
made, with bargaines of wearing colours, floures, and herbes, 
to breede occasion of ofter meeting of him and her, and bolder 
talking of this and that &c. And although I haue seene some, 
innocent of all ill, and stayde in all honestie, that haue vsed 
these thinges without all harme, without all suspicion of harme, 
yet these knackes were brought first into England by them, 
that learned the before in Italie in Ch'ces Court : and how 
Courtlie curtesses so euer they be counted now, yet, if the 
meaning and maners of some that do vse them, were somewhat 



236 The first booke teachyng 

amended, it were no great hurt, neither to them selues, nor to 
others. 

An other propertie of this our English Italians is, to be 
meruelous singular in all their matters: Singular in knowledge, 
ignorant of nothyng: So singular in wisedome (in their owne 
opinion) as scarse they counte the best Counsellor the Prince 
hath, comparable with them : Common discoursers of all 
matters: busie searchers of most secret affaires: open flatterers 
of great men : priuie mislikers of good men : Faire speakers, 
with smiling countenaces, and much curtessie openlie to all 
men. Ready bakbiters, sore nippers, and spitefull reporters 
priuilie of good men. And beyng brought vp in Italie^ in some 
free Citie, as all Cities be there: where a man may freelie 
discourse against what he will, against whom he lust: against 
any Prince, agaynst any gouernement, yea against God him 
selfe, and his whole Religion : where he must be, either 
Guelphe or GibUlne^ either French or Spanish : and alwayes 
compelled to be of some partie, of some faction, he shall neuer 
be compelled to be of any Religion : And if he medle not ouer 
much with Christes true Religion, he shall haue free libertie to 
embrace all Religions, and becum, if he lust at once, without 
any let or punishment, Jewish, Turkish, Papish, and Deuillish. 

A yong lentlcman, thus bred vp in this goodly schole, to 
learne the next and readie way to sinne, to haue a busie head, 
a factious hart, a talkatiue tonge, fed with discoursing of 
factions: led to contemne God and his Religion, shall cum 
home into England, but verie ill taught, either to be an honest 
man him self, a quiet subiect to his Prince, or willyng to serue 
God, vnder the obedience of trewe doctrine, or within the 
order of honest liuing. 

I know, none will be offended with this my generall 
writing, but onelie such, as finde them selues giltie priuatelie 
therin: who shall haue good leaue to be offended with me, 
vntill they begin to amende them selues. I touch not them 
that be good : and I say to litle of them that be nought. And 
so, though not enough for their deseruing, yet sufficientlie for 
this time, and more els when, if occasion so require. 

And thus farre haue I wandred from my first purpose of 
teaching a child, yet not altogether out of the way, bicause 



the brynging vp of youth. 237 

this whole taulke hath tended to the onelie aduauncement of 
trothe in Religion, and honestie of liuing: and hath bene wholie 
within the compasse of learning and good maners, the speciall 
pointes belonging in the right bringyng vp of youth. 

But to my matter, as I began, plainlie and simplie 
with my yong Scholer, so will I not leaue him, 
God willing, vntill I haue brought him a per- 
fite Scholer out of the Schole, and placed 
him in the Vniuersitie, to becum a fitte 
student, for Logicke and Rhetoricke: 
and so after to Phisicke, Law, or 
Diuinitie, as aptnes of na- 
ture, aduise of frendes, and 
Gods disposition shall 
lead him. 



'The ende of the first hooke. 



p%^ The second hooke. 



AFter that your scholer, as I sayd before, shall cum in 
^ deede, first, to a readie perfitnes in translating, than, to a 
ripe and skilfull choice in markyng out hys sixe pointes, as, 

/ 1 . Proprium. 

2. Tramlatum. 

3. Synony?rmm. 

4. Contrarium. 

5. Dtuersum. 

6. Phrases. 

Than take this order with him : Read dayly vnto him, 

some booke of Tullie^ as the third booke of 

Epistles chosen out by Sturmius^ de Am'ickta^ 

de Sene^ute^ or that excellent Epistle conteinyng almost the 

„ ,. whole first booke ad Q. fra: some Comedie of 

J. CTCtttlUS '^ -/ 

' Terence or Plautus : but in Plautus., skilfull choice 

must be vsed by the master, to traine his Scholler 

to a iudgement, in cutting out perfitelie ouer old and vnproper 

wordes : Cas. Commentaries are to be read with 

all curiositie, in specially without all exception to 

be made, either by frende or foe, is seene, the vnspotted 

proprietie of the Latin tong, euen whan it was, as the Grecians 

say, in ciKfJirj, that is, at the hiest pitch of all perfitenesse : or 

^ , . . some Orations of T. Liuius. such as be both longest 

7. Ltuius. II- " 

and plamest. 

These bookes, I would haue him read now, a good deale at 

euery lecture : for he shall not now vse dalie translation, but 

onely construe againe, and parse, where ye suspect, is any nede: 

yet, let him not omitte in these bookes, his former exercise, in 



The ready way to the Latin tong. 239 

marking diligently, and writyng orderlie out his six pointes. 
And for translating, vse you your selfe, euery second or thyrd 
day, to chose out, some Epistle ad Athcum^ some notable 
common place out of his Orations, or some other part of 
TuUie^ by your discretion, which your scholer may not know- 
where to linde : and translate it you your selfe, into plaine 
naturall English, and than giue it him to translate into Latin 
againe: allowyng him good space and tyme to do it, both with 
diligent heede, and good aduisement. Here his witte shalbe 
new set on worke : his iudgement, for right choice, trewlie 
tried: his memorie, for sure reteyning, better exercised, than 
by learning, any thing without the booke: & here, how much 
he hath proffited, shall plainly appeare. Whan he bringeth it 
translated vnto you, bring you forth the place of Tullie: lay 
them together : compare the one with the other : commend his 
good choice, & right placing of wordes : Shew his faultes iently, 
but blame them not ouer sharply : for, of such missings, ientlie 
admonished of, proceedeth glad & good heed taking: of good 
heed taking, springeth chiefly knowledge, which after, groweth 
to perfitnesse, if this order, be diligentlie vsed by the scholer & 
iently handled by the master: for here, shall all the hard 
pointes of Gramer, both easely and surelie be learned vp: 
which, scholers in common scholes, by making of Latines, be 
groping at, with care & feare, & yet in many yeares, they 
scarse can reach vnto them. I remember, whan I was yong, 
in the North, they went to the Grammer schole, litle children: 
they came from thence great lubbers: alwayes learning, and 
litle profiting: learning without booke, euery thing, vnder- 
stadyng within the booke, litle or nothing : Their whole 
knowledge, by learning without the booke, was tied onely to 
their tong & lips, and neuer asceded vp to the braine & head, 
and therfore was sone spitte out of the mouth againe : They 
were, as men, alwayes goyng, but euer out of the way: and 
why ? For their whole labor, or rather great toyle without 
order, was euen vaine idlenesse without proffit. In deed, 
they tooke great paynes about learning: but employed small 
labour in learning: Whan by this way prescribed in this 
booke, being streight, plaine, & easie, the scholer is alwayes 
laboring with pleasure, and euer going right on forward with 
proffit: Alwayes laboring I say, for, or he haue costrued 



240 T'he second booke teacliyng 

parced, twise traslated ouer by good aduisemet, marked out 
his six pointes by skilfull iudgement, he shall haue necessarie 
occasion, to read ouer euery lecture, a dosen tymes, at the 
least. Which, bicause he shall do alwayes in order, he shall do 
it alwayes with pleasure: And pleasure allureth loue: loue hath 
lust to labor: labor alwayes obteineth his purpose, as most 
J., trewly, both Aristotle in his Rhetoricke & Oedipus 

InOedip.Tyr. '" Sophocles do teach, saying, irav yap eKTTOVOv- 
Epist lib 7 f^evov aXiaKe. et cet. & this oft reading, is the 
verie right folowing, of that good Counsell, which 
Plinie doth geue to his frende Fuscus^ saying, Multum^ non 
multa. But to my purpose againe : 

Whan, by this diligent and spedie reading ouer, those 
forenaraed good bokes of Tm///V, Terence^ Casar^ and Liuie^ and 
by this second kinde of translating out of your English, tyme 
shall breed skill, and vse shall bring perfection, than ye may 
trie, if you will, your scholer, with the third kinde of translation: 
although the two first wayes, by myne opinion, be, not onelie 
sufficent of them selues, but also surer, both for the Masters 
teaching, and scholers learnyng, than this third way is : Which 
is thus. Write you in English, some letter, as it were from 
him to his father, or to some other frende, naturallie, according 
to the disposition of the child, or some tale, or fable, or plaine 
narration, according as Aphthonius beginneth his exercises of 
learning, and let him translate it into Latin againe, abiding in 
soch place, where no other scholer may prompe him. But yet, 
vse you your selfe soch discretion for choice therein, as the 
matter may be within the compas, both for wordes and 
sentences, of his former learning and reading. And now 
take heede, lest your scholer do not better in some point, than 
you your selfe, except ye haue bene diligentlie exercised in these 
kindes of translating before : 

I had once a profe hereof, tried by good experience, by 
a deare frende of myne, whan I came first from Cambrige, to 
serue the Queenes Maiestie, than Ladie Elizabeth^ lying at 
worthie Syr Ant. Denys in Cheston. lohn IVhitneye, a yong 
ientleman, was my bedfeloe, who willyng by good nature and 
prouoked by mine aduise, began to learne the Latin tong, aftei 
the order declared in this booke. We began after Christmas : 
I read vnto him Tullie de Amkitia^ which he did euerie day 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 241 

twise translate, out of Latin into English, and out of English 
into Latin agayne. About S. Laurence tyde after, to proue 
how he proffited, I did chose out Torquatus taullce de Amicitia^ 
in the later end of the first booke de finib. bicause that place 
was, the same in matter, like in wordes and phrases, nigh to 
the forme and facion of sentences, as he had learned before in 
de Jmtcitia. I did translate it my selfe into plaine English, 
and gaue it him to turne into Latin : Which he did, so choislie, 
so orderlie, so without any great misse in the hardest pointes of 
Grammer, that some, in seuen yeare in Grammer scholes, yea, 
& some in the Vniuersities to, can not do halfe so well. This 
worthie yong lentleman, to my greatest grief, to the great 
lamentation of that whole house, and speciallie to that most 
noble Ladie, now Queene Elizabeth her selfe, departed within 
few dayes, out of this world. 

And if in any cause, a man may without offence of God 
speake somewhat vngodlie, surely, it was some grief vnto me, 
to see him hie so hastlie to God, as he did. A Court, full of 
soch yong lentlemen, were rather a Paradise than a Court vpon 
earth. And though I had neuer Poeticall head, to make any 
verse, in any tong, yet either loue, or sorow, or both, did wring 
out of me than, certaine carefull thoughtes of my good will 
towardes him, which in my murning for him, fell forth, more 
by chance, than either by skill or vse, into this kinde of 
misorderlie meter. 

Myne owne lohn Whitney^ now farewell^ now death doth parte vs 

twainey 
No deathy but partyng for a whiky whom life shall ioyne agayne. 
Therfore my hart cease sighes and sobbeSy cease sorowes seede to soWy 
IV her of no gainey but greater grief and hurtfull care may grow. 
Tety whan I thinke vpon soch giftes of grace as God him lenty 
My lossey his gainey I must a whiky with ioyfull teares lament. 
Tong yeares to yelde soch frute in Court y where seede of vice is sowney 
Is sometime ready in some place seenCy amogst vs seldom knowne. 
His life he leddcy Christes lore to learney with will to worke the 

same : 
He read to knoWy and knew to liuey and liued to praise his name. 
So fast to frendey so foe to few y so good to euery weighty 
I may well wishey but scarcelie hopCy agayne to haue in sight. 



242 T^he second booke teachyng 

The greater ioye his life to me, his death the greater payne : 
His life in Christ so surelie set^ doth glad my hearte agayne : 
His fife so goody his death better^ do mingle mirth with care^ 
My spirit with ioye^ my flesh with griefs so deare a frend to spare. 
Thus God the good^ while they he good^ doth take^ and leaues vs ill^ 
That we should mend our sinfull life^ in life to tary still. 
ThuSy we -well left^ be better reft^ in heauen to take his place^ 
That by like life^ and death^ at last^ we may obteine like grace. 
Myne owne lohn Whiteney agayne fairewell^ a while thus parte in 

twainey 
tVhom payne doth part in earthy in heauen great ioye shall ioyne 

agayne. 

In this place, or I precede farder, I will now declare, by 
whose authoritie I am led, and by what reason I am moued, to 
thinke, that this way of duble translation out of one tong into 
an other, in either onelie, or at least chiefly, to be exercised, 
speciallie of youth, for the ready and sure obteining of any 
tong. 

There be six wayes appointed by the best learned men, for 
the learning of tonges, and encreace of eloquence, as 

/I. Translatio linguarum. 

2. Paraphrasis. 

3. Metaphrasis. 

4. Epitome. 

5. Imitatio. 
1 6. Declamatio. 

All theis be vsed, and commended, but in order, and for 
respectes : as person, habilitie, place, and tyme shall require. 
The hue last, be fitter, for the Master, than the scholer : for 
men, than for children : for the vniuersities, rather than for 
Grammer scholes : yet neuerthelesse, which is, fittest in mine 
opinion, for our schole, and which is, either wholie to be 
refused, or partlie to be vsed for our purpose, I will, by good 
authoritie, and some reason, I trust perticularlie of eueric 
one, and largelie enough of them all, declare orderlie vnto you. 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 243 

H Translatio Linguarum. 

Translation, is easie in the beginning for the scholer, and 
bringeth also moch learning and great iudgement to the 
Master. It is most common, and most commendable of all 
other exercises for youth : most common, for all your con- 
structions in Grammer scholes, be nothing els but translations : 
but because they be not double translations, as I do require, 
they bring forth but simple and single commoditie, and bicause 
also they lacke the daily vse of writing, which is the onely 
thing that breedeth deepe roote, both in y^ witte, for good 
vnderstanding, and in y^ memorie, for sure keeping of all that 
is learned. Most commedable also, & that by y^ iudgemet of 
all authors, which intreate of theis exercises. 
TuU'ie in the person of L. Crassus, whom he 
maketh his example of eloquence and trewe iudgement in 
learning, doth, not onely praise specially, and chose this way of 
translation for a yong man, but doth also discommend and 
refuse his owne former wont, in exercising Paraphrasin & 
Metaphras'in. Paraphj-asis is, to take some eloquent Oration, 
or some notable common place in Latin, and expresse it with 
other wordes : Metaphrasis is, to take some notable place out of 
a good Poete, and turn the same sens into meter, or into other 
wordes in Prose. Crassus, or rather Tullie^ doth mislike both 
these wayes, bicause the Author, either Orator or Poete, had 
chosen out before, the fittest wordes and aptest composition for 
that matter, and so he, in seeking other, was driuen to vse the 
worse. 

Quintilian also preferreth translation before all other 
exercises : yet hauing a lust, to dissent, from ^ . 
TulUe (as he doth in very many places, if a man 
read his Rhetoricke ouer aduisedlie, and that rather of an 
enuious minde, than of any iust cause) doth greatlie commend 
Parapbrasisy crossing spitefuUie TuUies iudgement in refusing 
the same : and so do Ramus and Talaus euen at this day in 
France to. But such singularitie, in dissenting from the best 
mens iudgementes, in liking onelie their owne opinions, is 
moch misliked of all them, that ioyne with learning, discretion, 
and wiscdome. For he, that can neither like Arhtotle in 
Logickc and Philosophic, nor Tullie in Rhetoricke and 

Q 2 



244 '^^^^ second booke teachyng 

Eloquence, will, from these steppes, Hkelie enough presume, by 
like pride, to mount hier, to the misliking of greater matters : 
that is either in Religion, to haue a dissentious head, or in the 
common wealth, to haue a factious hart : as I knew one 
a student in Cambrige, who, for a singularitie, began first to 
dissent, in the scholes, from Aristotle^ and sone after became 
a peruerse Arr'ian^ against Christ and all true Religion : and 
studied diligentlie Origefw^ Btisi/rus^ and iS. Hierome^ onelie to 
gleane out of their workes, the pernicious heresies of Ce/suSy 
EunomiuSy and Hehddius, whereby the Church of Christ, was so 
poysoned withall. 

But to leaue these hye pointes of diuinitie, surelie, in this 
quiet and harmeles controuersie, for the liking, or misliking of 
Paraphrosis for a yong scholer, euen as far, as Tull'te goeth 
beyond Ouinti/ian, Ramus^ and Tala-us^ in perfite Eloquence, 
* Plinius euen so moch, by myne opinion, cum they 

Secundiis. behinde TuUie^ for trew iudgement in teaching 

Plinius de- the same. 

dit Quin- * r. ;• • o 7 • I? r 

tiiiano *Fltnius cx'cunduSy a wise benator, or great 

prreceptori expericce, excellcntlie learned him selfe, a liberall 

suo, in nia- Patrone of learned men, and the purest writer, in 

tnmoniu . . r u i • t 

filia-, 50000 myne opmion, or aJl his age, 1 except not 

numu. Suetonius^ his two scholemasters Ouintilian and 

Tacitus^ nor yet his most excellent learned Vncle, the Elder 

Pliniusy doth expresse in an Epistle to his frende 
tpist. lb. 7, FuscuSy many good wayes for order in studie : 

but he beginneth with translation, and preferreth 
it to all the rest : and bicausc his wordes be notable, I will 
recite them. 

Vtile in priniisy vt multi prevc'ipiunt^ ex Graco in Latinum^ y ex 
Latino vertere in Gracum : Quo genere exercitntionis, proprietas 
splendora verhorum^ apta struSiura sententiarum^ figurarum 
copia y expUcandi vis coUigitur. Pr^etereay imitatione optimorum^ 
facultas sitnilia itmeniendi paratur : i^f qu^e legentem^ fcfelliisent^ 
transferenteyn fugere non possunt. IntelUgentia ex hoc^ ^ iudicium 
acquiritur. 

Ye perceiue, how Plinie teacheth, that by this exercise of 
double translating, is learned, easely, sensiblie, by litle and litle, 
not onelie all the hard congruities of Grammer, the choice of 



the ready way to the Latin tong, 245 

aptest wordes, the right framing of wordes and sentences, 
cumlines of figures and formes, fitte for euerie matter, and 
proper for euerie tong, but that which is greater also, in marking 
dayly, and folowing diligenth'e thus, the steppes of the best 
Autors, like inuention of Argumentes, like order in disposition, 
like vtterance in Elocution, is easelie gathered vp : whereby 
your scholer shall be brought not onelie to like eloquence, but 
also, to all trewe vnderstanding and right iudgement, both for 
writing and speaking. And where Dionys. Halicarnassaus hath 
written two excellent bookes, the one, de dele£iu optimorum 
verborum^ the which, I fcare, is lost, the other, of the right 
framing of wordes and sentences, which doth remaine yet in 
Greeke, to the great profFet of all them, that trewlie studie for 
eloquence, yet this waie of double translating, shall bring the 
whole profFet of both these bookes to a diliget scholer, and that 
easelie and pleasantlie, both for fitte choice of wordes, and apt 
composition of sentences. And by theis authorities and reasons 
am I moued to thinke, this waie of double translating, either 
onelie or chieflie, to be fittest, for the spedy and perfit atteyning 
of any tong. And for spedy atteyning, I durst venture a good 
wager, if a scholer, in whom is aptnes, loue, diligence, & 
constancie, would but translate, after this sorte, one litle booke 
in Tullie^ as de sene£lute^ with two Epistles, the first ad Q. fra : 
the other ad lentu/um^ the last saue one, in the first booke, that 
scholer, I say, should cum to a better knowledge in the Latin 
tong, tha the most part do, that spend foure or flue yeares, in 
tossing all the rules of Grammer in common scholes. In deede 
this one booke with these two Epistles, is not sufficient to 
afFourde all Latin wordes (which is not necessarie for a yong 
scholer to know) but it is able to furnishe him fully, for all 
pointes of Grammer, with the right placing ordering, Sc vse of 
wordes in all kinde of matter. And why not ? for it is read, 
that Dion. Prussreus^ that wise Philosopher, & excellct orator of 
all his tyme, did cum to the great learning & vtterance that was 
in him, by reading and folowing onelie two bookes, Phcedon 
Platonis^ and Demosthenes most notable oration nrepl irapaTrpea- 
^6ia<i. And a better, and nerer example herein, may be, our 
most noble Queene Elizabeth^ who neuer toke yet, Greeke nor 
Latin Grammer in her hand, after the first declining of a 
nowne and a verbe, but onely by this double translating of 



246 The second booke teachyng 

Demosthenes and Isocrates dailie without missing euerie forenone, 
and likewise som part of Tullie euery afternone, for the space 
of a yeare or two, hath atteyned to soch a perfite vnderstanding 
in both the tonges, and to soch a readie vtterance of the latin, 
and that wyth soch a iudgement, as they be fewe in nomber in 
both the vniuersities, or els where in England, that be, in both 
tonges, comparable with her Maiestie. And to conclude in 
a short rowme, the commodities of double translation, surelie 
the mynde by dailie marking, first, the cause and matter : than, 
the wordes and phrases : next, the order and composition : after 
the reason and argumentes : than the formes and figures of both 
the tonges : lastelie, the measure and compas of euerie sentence, 
must nedes, by litle and litle drawe vnto it the like shape of 
eloquence, as the author doth vse, which is red. 

And thus much for double translation. 

Paraphrasis. 

Pnrophrasls^ the second point, is not onelie to expresse at 

large with moe wordes, but to striue and contend 
Lib X ^ . . . . 

(as Qiiintilian saith) to translate the best latin 

authors, into other latin wordes, as many or thereaboutes. 

This waie of exercise was vsed first by C. Crabo^ and taken 
vp for a while, by L. Crassus^ but sone after, vpon dewe profe 
thereof, reiected iustlie by Crassus and Cicero : yet allowed and 
made sterling agayne by Af. Quintilian : neuerthelesse, shortlie 
after, by better assaye, disalowed of his owne scholer Plinius 
Secundus^ who termeth it rightlie thus Audax content'to. It is 
a bold comparison in deede, to thinke to say better, than that is 
best. Soch turning of the best into worse, is much like the 
turning of good wine, out of a faire sweete flagon of siluer, into 
a foule mustie bottell of ledder : or, to turne pure gold and 
siluer, into foule brasse and copper. 

Soch kinde of Paj-aphrasis^ in turning, chopping, and 
changing, the best to worse, either in the mynte or scholes, 
(though Al. Brokke and Quintilian both say the contrary) is 
moch misliked of the best and wisest men. I can better allow 
an other kinde of Paraphrasis^ to turne rude and barbarus, into 
proper and eloquent : which neuerthelesse is an exercise, not 
fitte for a scholer, but for a perfite master, who in plentie hath 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 247 

good choise, in copie hath right iudgement, and grounded skill, 
as did appeare to be in Sebastian Castalio^ in translating Kemppes 
booke de Imitando Christo. 

But to folow Quintilianus aduise for Paraphrasis^ were euen 
to take paine, to seeke the worse and fowler way, whan the 
plaine and fairer is occupied before your eyes. 

The olde and best authors that euer wrote, were content 
if occasion required to speake twise of one matter, not to change 
the wordes, but pr)Ta)<ij that is, worde for worde to expresse it 
againe. For they thought, that a matter, well expressed with 
fitte wordes and apt composition, was not to be altered, but 
liking it well their selues, they thought it would also be well 
allowed of others. 

A scholemaster (soch one as I require) knoweth that I say 
trewe. 

He readeth in Homer^ almost in euerie booke, and speciallic 
in Secundo et nono lliadosy not onelie som verses, Homerus. 
but whole leaues, not to be altered with new, 
but to be vttered with the old selfe same wordes. 

He knoweth, that Xenophon^ writing twise of 
AgesilauSy once in his life, againe in the historic 
of the Greekes, in one matter, kepeth alwayes the selfe same 
wordes. He doth the like, speaking of Socrates^ both in the 
beginning of his Apologie and in the last ende of aTrofMvrj/xovev- 
fidroyv. 

Demosthenes also in 4. Philippica^ doth borow his owne 
wordes vttered before in his oration de Chersoneso. 
He doth the like, and that more at large, in his £jj^/'^^' 
orations, against Androtion and Timocrates. 

In latin also, Cicero in som places, and Virgil in mo, do 
repeate one matter, with the selfe same wordes. ^. 
Thies excellent authors, did thus, not for lacke „. .'. 
of wordes, but by iudgement and skill : whatso- 
euer, other, more curious, and lesse skilfull, do thinke, write, 
and do. 

Paraphrasis neuerthelesse hath good place in learning, but 
not, by myne opinion, for any scholer, but is onelie to be left 
to a perfite Master, eyther to expound openlie a good author 
withall, or to compare priuatelie, for his owne exercise, how 
some notable place of an excellent author, may be vttered with 




248 T'he second booke teachyng 

other fitte wordes: But if ye alter also, the composition, forme, 
and order than that is not Paraphrasis^ but Imitatio^ as I will 
fullie declare in fitter place. 

The scholer shall winne nothing by Parapbrasis^ but onelie, 
if we may beleue Tullie, to choose worse wordes, to place them 
out of order, to feare ouermoch the iudgement of the master, to 
mislike ouermuch the hardnes of learning, and by vse, to gather 
vp faultes, which hardlie will be left of againe. 

The master in teaching it, shall rather encrease hys owne 
labor, than his scholers proffet: for when the scholer shall bring 
vnto his master a peece of Tullie or Ccesar turned into other 
latin, then must the master cum to Quintilians goodlie lesson de 
Emendatione^ which, (as he saith) is the most profitable part of 
teaching, but not in myne opinion, and namelie for youthe in 
Grammer scholes. For the master nowe taketh double paynes: 
first, to marke what is amisse : againe, to inuent what may be 
sayd better. And here perchance, a verie good master may 
easelie both deceiue himselfe, and lead his scholer into error. 

It requireth greater learning, and deeper iudgement, than is 
to be hoped for at any scholemasters hand : that is, to be able 
alwaies learnedlie and perfitelie 

iMutare quod Ineptmn est: 
I Transrnutare quod peruersum est: 
■i Rep/ere quod deest; 
\Detrahere quod obest : 
\Expungere quod inane est. 

And that, which requireth more skill, and deaper conside- 
racion 

'Premere tumentta: 
Extollere humilia: 
Astringere luxuriantia: 
Componere dissoluta. 

The master may here onelie stumble, and perchance faull in 
teaching, to the marring and mayning of the Scholer in learning, 
whan it is a matter, of moch readyng, of great learning, and 
tried iudgement, to make trewe difference betwixt 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 249 

{Sublime^ et Tumidum: 
Grande^ et immodicum: 
Decorum^ et ineptum: 
PerfeSium^ et nim'ium. 

Some men of our time, counted perfite Maisters of eloquence, 
in their owne opinion the best, in other mens iudgements very 
good, as Omphalius euerie where, Sadoletus in many places, yea 
also my frende Osorius^ namelie in his Epistle to the Queene & 
in his whole booke de lusticia, haue so ouer reached the selues, 
in making trew difference in the poyntes afore rehearsed, as 
though they had bene brought vp in some schole in y^sta, to 
learne to decline rather then in Jthens with Plato^ Aristotle^ and 
Demosthenes^ (from whence TuUie fetched his eloquence) to 
vnderstand, what in euerie matter, to be spoken or written on, 
is, in verie deede, Nimium^ Satis, Parum, that is for to say, to 
all considerations. Decorum, which, as it is the hardest point, in 
all learning, so is it the fairest and onelie marke, that scholers, in 
all their studie, must alwayes shote at, if they purpose an other 
day to be, either sounde in Religion, or wise and discrete in any 
vocation of the common wealth. 

Agayne, in the lowest degree, it is no low point of learnyng 
and iudgement for a Scholemaster, to make trewe difference 
betwixt 

' Humile is' depressum: 

Lene ^ remissum: 

Siccum ^ aridum: 

Exile & macrum: 

InaffeSiatum iff negle£lum. 

In these poyntes, some, louing Melan5lhon well, as he was 
well worthie, but yet not considering well nor wiselie, how he 
of nature, and all his life and studie by iudgement was wholly 
spent in genere DiscipUnabili, that is, in teaching, reading, and 
expounding plainlie and aptlie schole matters, and therfore 
imployed thereunto a fitte, sensible, and caulme kinde of 
speaking and writing, some I say, with very well louyng, 
but not with verie well weying Melanifhones doinges, 
do frame them selues a style, cold, leane, and weake, 
though the matter be neuer so warme &: earnest, not moch 
vnlike vnto one, that had a pleasure, in a roughe, raynie, winter 



250 The second booke teachyng 

day, to clothe him selfe with nothing els, but a demie, bukram 

cassok, plaine without plites, and single with out lyning: which 

will neither beare of winde nor wether, nor yet kepe out the 

sunne, in any hote day. 

Some suppose, and that by good reason, that MelanSihon 

him selfe came to this low kinde of writing, by 

Paiaphra- vsing ouer moch Paraphrasis in reading : For 

SIS in vse of P . 1 1 • 1 • ^1 ■ ^ • 1 ^ 

teaching, studymg therbie to make euerie thmg streight 

hath hurt and easie, in smothing and playning all things to 

Melanch- _ much, neuer leaueth, whiles the sence it selfe be 

writing. ^^^^ \)0^ lowse and lasie. And some of those 

Paraphrasis of Melan5ihon be set out in Printe, as, 
Pro Archia Poeta^ ^ Marco Mar cello : But a scholer, by myne 
opinion, is better occupied in playing or sleping, than in 
spendyng time, not onelie vainlie but also harmefullie, in soch 
a kinde of exercise. 

If a Master woulde haue a perfite example to folow, how, 
in Genere sublimit to auoide Nimium^ or in Mediocr't^ to atteyne 
5«//j, or in Humili^ to exchew Parum^ let him read diligently 

for the first, Secundam Philippicam^ for the meane, 

icero. jy^ Natura Deorum^ and for the lowest, Partitiones. 

Or, if in an other tong, ye looke for like example, in like 

perfection, for all those three degrees, read Pro 
Demosi- Ctesiphonte, Ad Leptinem^ & Contra Olympiodorum^ 

and, what witte. Arte, and diligence is hable to 

affourde, ye shall plainely see. 

P'or our tyme, the odde man to performe all three perfitlie, 

whatsoeuer he doth, and to know the way to do them skilfullie, 

whan so euer he list, is, in my poore opinion, 
loan. Star. j o, • ^ r > 

loannes oturfnius. 

He also councelleth all scholers to beware of Paraphrasis^ 
except it be, from worse to better, from rude and barbarous, to 
proper and pure latin, and yet no man to exercise that neyther, 
except soch one, as is alreadie furnished with plentie of learning, 
and grounded with stedfast iudgement before. 

All theis faultes, that thus manie wise men do finde with 
the exercise of Paraphrasis^ in turning the best latin, into other, 
as good as they can, that is, ye may be sure, into a great deale 
worse, than it was, both in right choice for proprietie, and trewe 
placing, for good order is committed also commonlie in all 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 251 

common scholes, by the scholemasters, in tossing and trobling 
yong wittes (as I sayd in the beginning) with that boocherlie 
feare in making of Latins. 

Therefore, in place, of Latines for yong scholers, and of 
Paraphrasis for the masters, I wold haue double translation 
specially vsed. For, in double translating a perfite peece of 
Tullie or Caesar, neyther the scholer in learning, nor y^ Master 
in teaching can erre. A true tochstone, a sure metwand lieth 
before both their eyes. For, all right cogruitie : proprietie of 
wordes: order in sentences: the right imitation, to inuent good 
matter, to dispose it in good order, to confirme it with good 
reason, to expresse any purpose fitlie and orderlie, is learned 
thus, both easelie & perfitlie : Yea, to misse somtyme in this 
kinde of translation, bringeth more profFet, than to hit right, 
either in Paraphrasi or making of Latins. For though ye say 
well, in a latin making, or in a Paraphasis, yet you being but 
in doute, and vncertayne whether ye saie well or no, ye gather 
and lay vp in memorie, no sure frute of learning thereby : But 
if ye fault in translation, ye ar easelie taught, how perhtlie to 
amende it, and so well warned, how after to exchew, all soch 
faultes againe. 

Paraphrasis therefore, by myne opinion, is not meete for 
Grammer scholes : nor yet verie fitte for yong men in the 
vniuersitie, vntill studie and tyme, haue bred in them, perfite 
learning, and stedfast iudgement. 

There is a kinde of Paraphrasis^ which may be vsed, without 
all hurt, to moch proffet: but it serueth onely the Greke and 
not the latin, nor no other tong, as to alter linguam lonicam aut 
Doricam into meram Atticam : A notable example there is left 
vnto vs by a notable learned man Diony : Halicarn : who, in his 
booke, irepl avvrd^eoi'^., doth translate the goodlie storie of 
Candaules and Gyges in i. Herodoti^ out of lonica lingua, into 
Atticam. Read the place, and ye shall take, both pleasure and 
proffet, in conference of it. A man, that is exercised in reading, 
Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, and Demosthenes, in vsing to turne, 
like places of Herodotus, after like sorte, shold shortlie cum to 
soch a knowledge, in vnderstanding, speaking, and writing the 
Greeke tong, as fewe or none hath yet atteyned in England. 
The like exercise out of Dorica lingua may be also vsed, if a 
man take that litle booke of Plato, Timaus Locrus, de Animo et 



252 'The second booke teachyng 

natura^ which is writte Dorice, and turne it into soch Greeke, 
as P/ato vseth in other workes. The booke, is but two leaues : 
and the labor wold be, but two weekes: but surelie the proffet, 
for easie vnderstanding, and trewe writing the Greeke tonge, 
wold conteruaile wyth the toile, that som men taketh, in 
otherwise coldlie reading that tonge, two yeares. 

And yet, for the latin tonge, and for the exercise of Para- 
phrasis, in those places of latin, that can not be bettered, if some 
yong man, excellent of witte, corragious in will, lustie of nature, 
and desirous to contend euen with the best latin, to better it, if 
he can, surelie I commend his forwardnesse, and for his better 
instruction therein, I will set before him, as notable an example 
of Paraphrasisy as is in Record of learning. Cicero him selfe, 
doth contend, in two sondrie places, to expresse one matter, 
with diuerse wordes : and that is Parap/jrasis^ saith Quintillian. 
The matter I suppose, is taken out of Panatins ; and therefore 
being translated out of Greeke at diuers times, is vttered for his 
purpose, with diuers wordes and formes: which kinde of exercise, 
for perfite learned men, is verie profitable. 

2. De Finib. 

a. Homo enim Rationem habet a natura menti datam quce^ i^ 
causas rerum et consecutiones videt, ^ simi/itudineSy transfert, &' 
disiunSfa coniungit^ ^ cum prceseyitibus futura copulaty omnema 
compleSiitur vitce consequentis statum. b. Eademg ratio facit 
hominem hominum appetentem^ cuma his^ natura^ y sermone in vsu 
congruentem : vt profe£ius a caritate domesticoru ac suorum^ currat 
longiuSy is' se implicet^ prima Ciuiiiy deinde omnium mortalium 
societati : vta non sihi soli se natH rneminerity sed patrice^ sed suisy 
vt exigua pars ipsi relinquatur. c. Et quonid eadem natura 
cupiditatem ingenuit homini veri inueniendi, quod faciUime apparet^ 
cum vacui curis, etiam quid in coelo fiat^ scire auemuSy iffc. 

I. Officiorum. 

a. Homo autemy qui rationis est particepSy per quam conse- 
quentia cernity ^ causas rerum videty earumg progressuSy et quasi 
antecessiones non ignoraty similitudineSy comparaty rebusg prcescntibus 
adiungity ata anne^fit futuraSy facile totius vita cursum videty ad 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 253 

eamque degendam praparat res necessarias. b. Eademg natura vi 
rationis hominem concU'iat hom'in'i^ i^f ad Orationis^ iff ad vittx 
societatem : ingenerata imprimis prcecipuum qiiendam amorem in 
eos, qui procreati sunt^ impeUitg vt hominum coetus iff celebrari 
inter se, iff sibi obediri velit^ oh easg causas studeat parare ea^ 
quce suppeditcnt ad cultum iff ad vidfum, nee sibi soli^ sed coniugiy 
liberisy cieterisa quos charos habeat^ tueria debeat. c. Qua cura 
exsuscitat etiam animoSy iff maiores ad rem gerendam facit : impri- 
niisg hominis est propria veri inquisitio atg inuestigatio : ita cum 
sumus neceffarijs negocijs curisg vacui^ turn auemus aliquid videre^ 
audire^ addiscere, cognitionemg rerum mirabilium. iffc. 

The conference of these two places, conteinyng so excellent 
a peece of learning, as this is, expressed by so worthy a witte, 
as Tullies was, must needes bring great pleasure and proffit to 
him, that maketh trew counte, of learning and honestie. But 
if we had the Greke Author, the first Patterne of all, and therby 
to see, how Tullies witte did worke at diuerse tymes, how, out 
of one excellent Image, might be framed two other, one in face 
and fauor, but somwhat differing in forme, figure, and color, 
surelie, such a peece of workemanship compared with the 
Paterne it selfe, would better please the ease of honest, wise, 
and learned myndes, tha two of the fairest Venusses, that euer 
Apelles made. 

And thus moch, for all kinde of Paraphrasis^ fitte or vnfit, 
for Scholers or other, as I am led to thinke, not onelie, by mine 
owne experience, but chiefly by the authoritie «& iudgement of 
those, whom I my selfe would gladliest folow, and do counsell 
all myne to do the same : not contendyng with any other, that 
will otherwise either thinke or do. 

Metaphrasis. 

This kinde of exercise is all one with Paraphrasis, saue it is 
out of verse, either into prose, or into some other kinde of 
meter : or els, out of prose into verse, which was 
Socrates exercise and pastime (as Plato reporteth) phLdo" 
when he was in prison, to translate Msopes Fabules 
into verse. Quintilian doth greatlie praise also this exercise: 
but bicause Tullie doth disalow it in yong men, by myne 
opinion, it were not well to vse it in Grammer Scholes, euen 



254 ^^^ second booke teachyng 

for the selfe same causes, that be recited against Paraphrasis. 
And therfore, for the vse, or misuse of it, the same is to be 
thought, that is spoken of Paraphrasis before. This was 
Su/pltius exercise: and he gathering vp therby, a Poeticall kinde 
of talke, is iustlie named of Cicero^ grandis et Tragicus Orator: 
which I think is spoken, not for his praise, but for other mens 
warning, to exchew the hke faulte. Yet neuertheles, if our 
Scholemaster for his owne instruction, is desirous, to see a 
perfite example hereof, I will recite one, which I thinke, no 
man is so bold, will say, that he can amend it: & that is 
Chrises the Priestes Oration to the Grekes^ in the 
beginnyng of Homers I/ias^ turned excellentlie 
^' ^' '^' into prose by Socrates him selfe, and that aduised- 
He and purposelie for other to folow : and therfore he calleth 
this exercise, in the same place, /it/AT^trt?, that is, hnitatio^ which 
is most trew: but, in this booke, for teachyng sake, I will name 
it Metaphrasis^ reteinyng the word, that all teachers, in this 
case, do vse. 

Homerus. I. 'iXtaS, 

7a/o r]\Oe doa^ eVi vrja^; 'A'^ulmv, 
Xvaofjievo^ re OvyaTpa, (pepwv t aTrepeicrt cnroiva, 
arefxfjiaT e')(^ci)v iv ■^epalv eKrj^oXov 'AttoWcoi^os', 
Ypvaeo) ava aKyjirrpw' Koi iXicraero iravTaq ^A'x^aiov'i, 
ArpelSa Se ixaXiaTa Svco, KoafxijTope Xacbv. 

ATpelSat T€, KoX aWoL evKV)]/j,i.Se'i 'A^j^atol, 
v/jl2v fxev 6eol Solev, ^OXvfMTTta Bco/mar e^oj/re?, 
eKTrepaai YLpidfMOio ttoXlv, ev h ocKaS' iKecrdaf 
TraiSa 8' e/xot \vaai re (^(Xrjv, rd r airoLva Se^ecrOat, 
d^o/xevoi Ai09 v'lov eKij^oXov AiroWaiva. 

€vd' dWoc fjiev 7rdvTe<i iTr€u(f)r]/u.7]crav ' A')(^aLOL 
alheladai 6^ lepyja, fcal ajXaa he^Oat aiTOiva' 
dXX' ovK ^ATpeiSr) 'Aya/xe/J-vovi ijvSave Ovijuw, 
oKXa KUKWi; dipiei, Kparepov S' eVt fivOov ereXXev. 

IJbrj ere, ^epov, KOiXrjaiv iycb irapa vrjval KL^eia), 
rj vvv BrjdvvovT , rj varepov avrL<i lovra, 
firj vv TOi ov ')(^paLa/jir] aurjirrpov, xal arififxa deolo. 
rr)V 8' iyo) ov Xvaco, rrplv fiiv Kal 'yr)pa<; eireicnVf 
•^fierepq) ivl oikq), iv "Apyei rrjXodi 7rdrpr]<i 



the ready way to the Latifj tong, 255 

IcTOV iTTOLypybkvrjv, koX i^ov Xe^o? avTLococrav. 
aXk Wi, fjiT) fx epeOc^e' aadorepoi; a;? /ce virjai. 

ftj? €(f>aT • eBBetaev 8' 6 'yepwv, koI iireidero ^v6(p • 
^rj S' cLKewv irapa diva TroXv^Xoia^oio OaXdaaiTi, 
TToXKa S' €7retT airdvevde Kitbv rjpdd' 6 'yepaio'i 
AttoWcovl dvaKTL, top 7)vko/xo<; reKe A.7)T(0' 

kKvOl fiev, apyvpoTo^ , 09 Xpvarjv dfj.(f)i^e^r]>ca<i, 
KLWav re ^adeijv, TeveSoio re i<pt ai/acrcret?, 
a/jiiv6ev, et Trore tol ^(^apievT ivl vrjov epe-yjra, 
rj el 8tj TTore tol Kara rriova ixrjpi eicrja 
ravpwu, TjK aljoov, roSe /uloi Kprjrjvov ieXScop' 
Ttaeiav Aavao} e/j-d SdKpva aoccn /SeXecrcriv, 

Socrates in 3. de Rep. saith thus, 

^pdao) jdp dvev /xerpov, 
ov ydp elp-L 7rotT]TiK6<;. 

j]\6ev X.pv(T7)<; Trj^ re Ovyarpo^; Xvrpa (fiepcov, koX iKeT7)<i 
Twv 'A^atwz/, fidXiara Be rcov jSacnXeoiv. koI €V)(^eTO, e/cetVot? 
/xev Tou? Oeou<i Souvai eX6vTa<; ttjv Tpolav, auTov<i Be aadrjvac, 
TTjp Be Ovyarepa ol avrS Xvaat, Be^ap,evou<; diroLva, koX top 
deop alBeadevra^. Tocavra Be elTr6vT0<^ avrov, ol /xep dXXot 
icre^opTO koI crvi'rjvovp, 6 Be ' Aya/Mep,po)p rjyp[aivev, €ptgX- 
X6/j,evo<i vvp re ainepai, kol avdi<; /xr) eXOelv, /jltj avrw to re 
a-KrJTTTpop, Kal Td tov deov arififiara ov/c eirapKeaoi. irplv 
he Xvdrjvai avTov dvyaTepa, ep "Apyei ecjirj yrjpdaetp /xerd ov. 
dircevai Be ixeXeve, Kal /ult] ipedi^etp, Iva crw? otKaBe eXdoc. 
Be TrpeafBvrrj'i dKovo'a<; eBeiae re Kal dirrjei crtyfj, aTTO^to- 
pr}aa<i 6' e« tov arparoTTeBov TroXXd rw ^ ArroXXoiPc ev^^TO, 
Td<i t6 €7rQ)vv/jLca<i tov deov dpaKaXcov Kal v7ro/jLt/j,vrjaK(t)p Kal 
airatToop, ei tl iroiiroTe rj ep pacop olKoBo/Jbrjaeaip, rj ep lepoop 
dvaiai^ KeyapiafMivov Bcoprja-atro. wv Br) %«ptf Karev-^^eTO 
Ttaat TOWS' A^acov<; rd d BdKpva rot<; eKclpov /SeXecrcp. 

To compare Homer and Plato together, two wonders of 
nature and arte for witte and eloquence, is most pleasant and 
profitable, for a man of ripe iudgement. Platos turning of 
Homer in this place, doth not ride a loft in Poeticall termes, 
but goeth low and soft on foote, as prose and Pedestris oratio 
should do. If Sulpitius had had Platos consideration, in right 



256 T^he second booke teachyng 

vsing this exercise, he had not deserued the name of Tragkus 
Orator^ who should rather haue studied to expresse vim Demos- 
thenis^ than furorem Po^eta^ how good so euer he was, whom he 
did folow. 

And therfore would I haue our Scholemaster wey well 
together Homer and Plato^ and marke diligentlie these foure 
pointes, what is kept : what is added : what is left out : what 
is changed, either, in choise of wordes, or forme of sentences : 
which foure pointes, be the right tooles, to handle like a worke- 
man, this kinde of worke : as our Scholer shall better vnder- 
stand, when he hath bene a good while in the Vniuersitie : 
to which tyme and place, I chiefly remitte this kinde of exercise. 

And bicause I euer thought examples to be the best kinde 
of teaching, I will recite a golden sentece out of that Poete, 
which is next vnto Horner^ not onelie in tyme, but also in 
worthines : which hath bene a paterne for many worthie 
wittes to follow, by this kind oi Metaphrasis^ but I will content 
my selfe, with foure workemen, two in Greke^ and two in Lat'in^ 
soch, as in both the tonges, wiser & worthier, can not be looked 
for. Surelie, no stone set in gold by most cunning workeme, 
is in deed, if right counte be made, more worthie the looking 
on, than this golden sentence, diuerslie wrought vpon, by soch 
foure excellent Masters. 

Hesiodus. 1. 

1. ovTO^ jj-ev 7ravdpi(TT0<i, 09 avTw iravra vorjarj, 
<f)pa(rad/ji€vo<; to, k eireira Kol e'9 Te\o<; fjcrLv d/xecvco: 

2. i(x6\b'i 8' av KdK€lvo<i, 09 ev eiirovrt TrlOrjrai, 

3. 09 Se Ke jJbrjT avTo<i I'oit], ixrjT dWov aKOVUtv 
iv dufMOi ^dXXrjTaL, 6 8' avT d')(pi]'io<; dvrjp. 

H Thus rudelie turned into 
base English, 

1. That man in wisedome passeth all, 
to know the best who hath a head : 

2. And meetlie wise eeke counted shall^ 
who yeildes him selfe to wise mens read : 

3. Who hath no witte^ nor none will heare^ 
amongest all fooles the hell may beare. 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 257 

Sophocles hi Antigone, 

1. ^ri^ e>yo)'ye irpecr/Seveiv iroXv, 
^vvai rov avhpa irdvr iTrtaTtjfMrj'i irXicov : 

2. Ei S' ovv (<f)i,\et yap rovro p,ri Tavrrj peTreiv), 
K.al TO)V XeyovTCOv ev koXov to /navddveLv. 

Marke the wisedome of Sophocles,, in leauyng out the last 
sentence, because it was not cumlie for the sonne to vse it to 
his father. 

r D. Basileus in his Exhortation to youth. 

M.efJiV'qaOe rov 'HcrtoSou, 09 (^rjcn, aptarov /nev elvac 
Tov Trap eavTOv rd Seovra ^vvopwvTa. 2. "FtcrdXov Se kclk&I- 
vov, TOV TOL<i, Trap erepcov VTroheij(^el(Tiv kirofxevov. 3. tov 
8e 7rpo<i ovheTepov iTnTTjSetop d^peiov elvai 7rpo<i airavTa. 

f M. Cic. Pro A. Cluentio. 

I. Sapientissitnum esse dicunt eum^ cui, quod opus sit, ipsi veniat in 
mente : 2. Proxime accedere ilium, qui alterius bene inuentis 
obtemperet. 3. In stulticia contra est : minus enim stultus est 
isy cui nihil in menteni venit, quatn ilk, qui, quod stulte alteri venit 
in mentem comprobat. 

Cicero doth not plainlie expresse the last sentence, but doth 
inuent it fitlie for his purpose, to taunt the folic and simplicitie 
in his aduersarie A^iius, not weying wiselie, the sutle doynges 
of Chrysogonus and Staienus. 

^ Tit. Liuius in Orat. Minutij. Lib. 22. 

I. S^epe ego audiui milites ; eum primum esse viru?n, qui ipse 
consulat, quid in rem sit : 2. Secundum eum, qui bene monenti 
obediat : 3. Qui, 7iec ipse consulere, nee alteri par ere scit, eum 
extremi esse ingenij. 

Now, which of all these foure, Sophocles, S. Basil, Cicero, or 
Liuie, hath expressed Hesiodus best, the iudgement is as hard, as 
the workemanship of euerie one is most excellent in deede. An 
other example out of the Latin tong also I will recite, for the 
worthines of the workeman therof, and that is Horace, who hath 



258 The second booke teachyng 

so turned the begynning of Terence Eunuchus^ as doth worke in 
me, a pleasant admiration, as oft so euer, as I compare those 
two places togither. And though euerie Master, and euerie 
good Scholer to, do know the places, both in Terence and 
Horace^ yet I will set them heare, in one place togither, that 
with more pleasure, they may be compared together. 

f Terentius in Eunucho. 

Quid igitur faciayn f non earn F ne nunc qu'ideni cum accersor 
vitro ? an potius ita me comparem^ non perpeti meretricum con- 
tumelias ? exclusit : reuocat^ redeam ? non^ si me obsecret. par- 
men o a little after. Here^ quce res in seneg consilium nea moduni 
habet vllum^ earn consilio regere non potes. In Amore hcsc omnia 
insunt vitia, iniuria^ suspiciones, inimicitiie^ induciire, bellum^ pax 
rursum. Incerta hac si tu postules ratione certa facere^ nihilo plus 
agasy ^ si des operam^ vt cum ratione insanias. 

f Horatius, lib. Ser. 2. Saty. 3. 

Nee mmc cum me vocet vltro^ 
Accedam F an potius mediter finire dolores ? 
Exclusit : reuocaty redeam ? non si obsecret. Ecce 
Seruus non Paulo sapientior : Here^ quce res 
Nee modum habet^ neg consilium^ ratione modig 
Tractari non vult. In amore^ hcec sunt mala^ bellum^ 
Pax rursum : hac si quis tempestatis prope ritu 
Afobiliay et caca Jiuitantia sortCy lahoret 
Reddere certa, sibi nihilo plus cxplicety ac si 
Insanire paret certa ratione, modhg. 

This exercise may bring moch profite to ripe heads, and 
stayd iudgementes : bicause, in traueling in it, the mynde must 
nedes be verie attentiue, and busilie occupide, in turning and 
tossing it selfe many wayes : and conferryng with great pleasure, 
the varietie of worth ie wittes and iudgementes togither : But 
this harnie may sone cum therby, and namelie to yong Scholers, 
lesse, in seeking other wordes, and new forme of sentences, they 
chance vpon the worse : for the which onelie cause, Cicero 
thinketh this exercise not to be fit for yong men. 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 259 

Epitome. 

This is a way of studie, belonging, rather to matter, than to 
wordes : to memorie, than to vtterance : to those that be 
learned alreadie, and hath small place at all amonges yong 
scholers in Grammer scholes. It may profFet priuately some 
learned men, but it hath hurt generallie learning it selfe, very 
moch. For by it haue we lost whole Tragus^ the best part of 
T. LiuiuSy the goodlie Dictionarie of Pompeius festus, a great 
deale of the Ciuill lawe, and other many notable bookes, for the 
which cause, I do the more mislike this exercise, both in old 
and yong. 

Epitome, is good priuatelie for himselfe that doth worke it, 
but ill commonlie for all other that vse other mens labor therein: 
a silie poore kinde of studie, not vnlike to the doing of those 
poore folke, which neyther till, nor sowe, nor reape themselues, 
but gleane by stelth, vpon other mens growndes. Soch, haue 
emptie barnes, for deare yeares. 

Grammer scholes haue fewe Epitomes to hurt them, except 
Epitheta Textoris, and such beggarlie gatheringes, as Hormariy 
whittington, and other like vulgares for making of latines : yea 
I do wishe, that all rules for yong scholers, were shorter than 
they be. For without doute, Granunatica it selfe, is sooner and 
surer learned by examples of good authors, than by the naked 
rewles of Grattunarians. Epitome hurteth more, in the vni- 
uersities and studie of Philosophic : but most of all, in diuinitie 
it selfe. 

In deede bookes of common places be verie necessarie, to 
induce a man, into an orderlie generall knowledge, how to 
referre orderlie all that he readeth, ad cert a rerum Capita, and 
not wander in studie. And to that end did P. Lombardus the 
master of sentences and Ph. Melan£ihon in our daies, write two 
notable bookes of common places. 

But to dwell in Epitomes and bookes of common places, and 
not to binde himselfe dailie by orderlie studie, to reade with all 
diligence, principallie the holyest scripture and withall, the best 
Doctors, and so to learne to make trewe difference betwixt, the 
authoritie of the one, and the Counsell of the other, maketh so 
many seeming, and sonburnt ministers as we haue, whose 

R 2 



260 T'he second hooke teachyng 

learning is gotten in a sommer heat, and washed away, with 
a Christmas snow againe : who neuerthelesse, are lesse to be 
blamed, than those blind bussardes, who in late yeares, of 
wilful! maliciousnes, would neyther learne themselues, nor 
could teach others, any thing at all. 

Paraphrasis hath done lesse hurt to learning, than Epitome : 
for no Paraphrasis, though there be many, shall neuer take 
away Dauids Psalter. Erasmus Paraphrasis being neuer so 
good, shall neuer banishe the new Testament. And in an 
other schole, the Paraphrasis of Brocardus, or Sambucus, shal 
neuer take Aristotles Rhetoricke, nor Horace de Arte Poetica^ out 
of learned mens handes. 

But, as concerning a schole Epitome, he that wold haue an 
example of it, let him read Lucian irepl kuWov; which is the 
verie Epitome of Isocrates oration de laudihus Helenas, whereby 
he may learne, at the least, this wise lesson, that a man ought 
to beware, to be ouer bold, in altering an excellent mans 
worke. 

Neuertheles, some kinde of Epitome may be vsed, by men 
of skilful iudgement, to the great proffet also of others. As if 
a wise man would take Halles Cronicle, where moch good 
matter is quite marde with Indenture Englishe, and first change, 
strange and inkhorne tearmes into proper, and commonlie vsed 
wordes : next, specially to wede out that, that is superfluous 
and idle, not onelie where wordes be vainlie heaped one vpon 
an other, but also where many sentences, of one meaning, be 
so clowted vp together as though M. ii/rt//had bene, not writing 
the storie of England, but varying a sentence in Hitching 
schole : surelie a wise learned man, by this way of Epitome, in 
cutting away wordes and sentences, and diminishing nothing at 
all of the matter, shold leaue to mens vse, a storie, halfe as 
moch as it was in quantitie, but twise as good as it was, both 
for pleasure and also commoditie. 

An other kinde of Epitome may be vsed likewise very well, 
to moch profFet. Som man either by lustines of nature, or 
brought by ill teaching, to a wrong iudgement, is ouer full of 
words, setences, & matter, h yet all his words be proper, apt 
& well chosen : all his setences be rownd and trimlie framed : 
his whole matter grownded vpon good reason, & stuffed with 
full argumets, for his intent & purpose. Yet whe his talke 



tlie ready way to the Latin tong. 261 

shalbe heard, or his writing be red, of soch one, as is, either of 
my two dearest frendes, M. Haddon at home, or lohn Sturmius 
in Germanic, that Nimium in him, which fooles and vnlearned 
will most commend, shall eyther of thies two, bite his lippe, or 
shake his heade at it. 

This fulnes as it is not to be misliked in a yong man, so in 
farder aige, in greater skill, and weightier affaires, it is to be 
temperated, or else discretion and iudgement shall seeme to be 
wanting in him. But if his stile be still ouer rancke and lustie, 
as some men being neuer so old and spent by yeares, will still 
be full of youthfull conditions as was Syr F. BryaUy and euer- 
more wold haue bene : soch a rancke and full writer, must vse, 
if he will do wiselie the exercise of a verie good kinde of 
Epitome^ and do, as certaine wise men do, that be ouer fat and 
fleshie : who leauing their owne full and plentifull table, go to 
soiorne abrode from home for a while, at the temperate diet of 
some sober man : and so by litle and Htle, cut away the 
grosnesse that is in them. As for an example : If Osorius 
would leaue of his lustines in striuing against S. Austen^ and his 
ouer rancke rayling against poore Luther^ and the troth of Gods 
doctrine, and giue his whole studie, not to write any thing of 
his owne for a while, but to traslate Demosthenes^ with so straite, 
fast, & temperate a style in latine, as he is in Greeke, he would 
becume so perfit & pure a writer, I beleue, as hath bene fewe 
or none sence Ciceroes dayes : And so, by doing himself and all 
learned moch good, do others lesse harme, & Christes doctrine 
lesse iniury, tha he doth : & with all, wyn vnto himselfe many 
worthy frends, who agreing with him gladly, in y^ loue & 
liking of excellent learning, are sorie to see so worthie a witte, 
so rare eloquence, wholie spent and consumed, in striuing with 
God and good men. 

Emonges the rest, no man doth lament him more than 
I, not onelie for the excellent learning that I see in him, but 
also bicause there hath passed priuatelie betwixt him and me, 
sure tokens of moch good will, and frendlie opinion, the one 
toward the other. And surelie the distance betwixt London and 
Lysbon, should not stoppe, any kinde of frendlie dewtie, that I 
could, eyther shew to him, or do to his, if the greatest matter 
of all did not in certeyne pointes, separate our myndes. 

And yet for my parte, both toward him, and diuerse others 



262 77/6' second booke teachyng 

here at home, for like cause of excellent learning, great wisdome, 
and gentle humanitie, which I haue scene in them, and felt at 
their handes my selfe, where the matter of difference is mere 
conscience in a quiet minde inwardlie, and not contentious 
malice with spitefuU rayling openlie, I can be content to followe 
this rewle, in misliking some one thing, not to hate for anie 
thing els. 

But as for all the bloodie beastes, as that fat Boore of the 
P I o wood : or those brauling Bulles of Basan : or any- 

lurking Dorfnus^ blinde, not by nature, but by 
malice, & as may be gathered of their owne testimonie, giuen 
ouer to blindnes, for giuing ouer God & his word ; or soch as 
be so lustie runnegates, as first, runne from God & his trew 
doctrine, than, from their Lordes, Masters, & all dewtie, next, 
fro them selues & out of their wittes, lastly from their Prince, 
contrey, & all dew allegeace, whether they ought rather to be 
pitied of good men, for their miserie, or contemned of wise 
men, for their malicious folic, let good and wise men deter- 
mine. 

And to returne to Epitome agayne, some will iudge moch 
boldnes in me, thus to iudge of Osorius style : but wise men do 
know, that meane lookers on, may trewelie say, for a well made 
Picture : This face had bene more cumlie, if that hie redde in 
the cheeke, were somwhat more pure sanguin than it is : and 
yet the stander by, can not amend it himselfe by any way. 

And this is not written to the dispraise but to the great 
commendation of Osorius^ because TulUe himselfe had the same 
fulnes in him : and therefore went to Rodes to cut it away : and 
saith himselfe, j^eccpi ?ne dornum prope mntatus^ nam quasi referuerat 
iam oratio. Which was brought to passe I beleue, not onelie by 
the teaching of Molo Appolloniiis but also by a good way of 
Epitome^ in binding him selfe to translate ?rieros Atticos Oratores^ 
and so to bring his style, from all lowse grosnesse, to soch firme 
fastnes in latin, as is in Demosthenes in Greeke. And this to be 
most trew, may easelie be gathered, not onelie of L. Crassus 
talke in i. de Or. but speciallie of Ciceroes owne deede in 
translating Demosthenes and /Eschines orations Trepl arecp. to that 
verie ende and purpose. 

And although a man growndlie learned all readie, may take 
moch proffet him selfe in vsing, by Epitome, to draw other mens 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 263 

workes for his owne memorie sake, into shorter rowme, as 
Conterus hath done verie well the whole Metamorphosis of Ouid^ 
& Dauid Cythrceus a great deale better, the ix. Muses of Hero- 
dotus^ and Melanchthon in myne opinion, far best of all, the whole 
storie of Time, not onelie to his own vse, but to other mens 
proffet and hys great prayse, yet, Epitome is most necessarie of 
all in a mans owne writing, as we learne of that noble Poet 
Virgill^ who, if Donatus say trewe, in writing that perfite worke 
of the Georgickes^ vsed dailie, when he had written 40. or 50. 
verses, not to cease cutting, paring, and pollishing of them, till 
he had brought them to the nomber of x. or xij. 

And this exercise, is not more nedefullie done in a great 
worke, than wiselie done, in your common dailie writing, either 
of letter, or other thing else, that is to say, to peruse diligentlie, 
and see and spie wiselie, what is alwaies more than nedeth : 
For, twenty to one, offend more, in writing to moch, than to 
litle : euen as twentie to one, fall into sicknesse, rather by ouer 
moch fulnes, than by anie lacke or emptinesse. And therefore 
is he alwaies the best English Physition, that best can geue 
a purgation, that is, by way of Epitome^ to cut all ouer much 
away. And surelie mens bodies, be not more full of ill humors, 
than commonlie mens myndes (if they be yong, lustie, proude, 
like and loue them selues well, as most men do) be full of fansies, 
opinions, errors, and faultes, not onelie in inward inuention, but 
also in all their vtterance, either by pen or taulke. 

And of all other men, euen those that haue ye inuentiuest 
heades, for all purposes, and roundest tonges in all matters and 
places (except they learne and vse this good lesson of Epitome) 
commit commonlie greater faultes, than dull, staying silent men 
do. For, quicke inuentors, and faire readie speakers, being 
boldned with their present habilitie to say more, and perchance 
better to, at the soden for that present, than any other can do, 
vse lesse helpe of diligence and studie than they ought to do : 
and so haue in them commonlie, lesse learning, and weaker 
iudgement, for all deepe considerations, than some duller heades, 
and slower tonges haue. 

And therefore, readie speakers, generallie be not the best, 
playnest, and wisest writers, nor yet the deepest iudgers in 
weightie affaires, bicause they do not tarry to weye and iudge 
all thinges, as they should : but hauing their heades ouer full of 



264 T^he second booke teachyng 

matter, be like pennes ouer full of incke, which will soner 
blotte, than make any faire letter at all. Tyme was, whan 
I had experience of two Ambassadors in one place, the one of 
a bote head to inuent, and of a hastie hand to write, the other, 
colde and stayd in both : but what difference of their doinges 
was made by wise men, is not vnknowne to some persons. The 
Bishop of Winchester Steph : Gardiner had a quicke head, and 
a readie tong, and yet was not the best writer in England. 
Cicero in Brutus doth wiselie note the same in Serg : Galho^ and 
Q. Hortentius^ who were both, bote, lustie, and plaine speakers, 
but colde, lowse, and rough writers : And Tullie telleth the 
cause why, saying, wha they spake, their tong was naturally 
caried with full tyde & wynde of their witte : whan they wrote 
their head was solitarie, dull, and caulme, and so their style was 
blonte, and their writing colde : Quod vitium, sayth Cicero, 
peringeniosis ho7ninibus nea satis doSiis pleruma accidit. 

And therfore all quick inuentors, & readie faire speakers, 
must be carefuU, that, to their goodnes of nature, they adde 
also in any wise, studie, labor, leasure, learning, and iudgement, 
and than they shall in deede, passe all other, as I know some do, 
in whome all those qualities are fullie planted, or else if they 
giue ouer moch to their witte, and ouer litle to their labor and 
learning, they will sonest ouer reach in taulke, and fardest cum 
behinde in writing whatsoeuer they take in hand. The methode 
of Epitome is most necessarie for soch kinde of men. And thus 
much concerning the vse or misuse of all kinde of Epitomes in 
matters of learning. 

•)«(• Imitatio. 

Imitation, is a facultie to expresse liuelie and perfitelie that 
example : which ye go about to folow. And of it selfe, it is 
large and wide : for all the workes of nature, in a maner be 
examples for arte to folow. 

But to our purpose, all languages, both learned and mother 
tonges, be gotten, and gotten onelie by Imitation. For as ye 
vse to heare, so ye learne to speake : if ye heare no other, ye 
speake not your selfe : and whome ye onelie heare, of them ye 
onelie learne. 

And therefore, if ye would speake as the best and wisest do. 



the ready way to the ha tin tong. 265 

ye must be conuersant, where the best and wisest are : but if 
yow be borne or brought vp in a rude contrie, ye shall not chose 
but speake rudelie : the rudest man of all knoweth this to be 
trewe. 

Yet neuerthelesse, the rudenes of common and mother 
tonges, is no bar for wise speaking. For in the rudest contrie, 
and most barbarous mother language, many be found can speake 
verie wiselie : but in the Greeke and latin tong, the two onelie 
learned tonges, which be kept, not in common taulke, but in 
priuate bookes, we finde alwayes, wisdome and eloquence, good 
matter and good vtterance, neuer or seldom a sonder. For all 
soch Authors, as be fullest of good matter and right iudgement 
in doctrine, be likewise alwayes, most proper in wordes, most 
apte in sentence, most plaine and pure in vttering the same. 

And contrariwise, in those two tonges, all writers, either in 
Religion, or any sect of Philosophic, who so euer be founde 
fonde in iudgement of matter, be commonlie found as rude in 
vttering their mynde. For Stoickes, Anabaptistes, and Friers : 
with Epicures, Libertines and Monkes, being most like in 
learning and life, are no fonder and pernicious in their opinions, 
than they be rude and barbarous in their writinges. They be 
not wise, therefore that say, what care I for a mans wordes and 
vtterance, if his matter and reasons be good. Soch men, say 
so, not so moch of ignorance, as eyther of some singular pride 
in themselues, or some speciall malice or other, or for some 
priuate & perciall matter, either in Religion or other kinde of 
learning. For good and choice meates, be no more requisite 
for helthie bodies, than proper and apte wordes be for good 
matters, and also plaine and sensible vtterance for the best and 
depest reasons : in which two pointes standeth perfite eloquence, 
one of the fairest and rarest giftes that God doth geue to man. 

Ye know not, what hurt ye do to learning, that care not 
for wordes, but for matter, and so make a deuorse betwixt the 
tong and the hart. For marke all aiges : looke vpon the whole 
course of both the Greeke and Latin tonge, and ye shall surelie 
finde, that, whan apte and good wordes began to be neglected, 
and properties of those two tonges to be confounded, than also 
began, ill deedes to spring : strange maners to oppresse good 
orders, newe and fond opinions to striue with olde and trewe 
doctrine, first in Philosophic : and after in Religion : right 



266 77/^ second booke teachyng 

iudgement of all thinges to be peruerted, and so vertue with 
learning is contemned, and studie left of: of ill thoughtes 
cummeth peruerse iudgement : of ill deedes springeth lewde 
taulke. Which fower misorders, as they mar mans life, so 
destroy they good learning withall. 

But behold the goodnesse of Gods prouidence for learning : 
all olde authors and sectes of Philosophy, which were fondest in 
opinion, and rudest in vtterance, as Stoickes and Epicures, first 
contemned of wise men, and after forgotten of all men, be so 
consumed by tymes, as they be now, not onelie out of vse, but 
also out of memorie of man : which thing, I surelie thinke, 
will shortlie chance, to the whole doctrine and all the bookes of 
phantasticall Anabaptistes and Friers, and of the beastlie 
Libertines and Monkes, 

Againe behold on the other side, how Gods wisdome hath 
wrought, that of Academici and Peripatetici^ those that were 
wisest in iudgement of matters, and purest in vttering their 
myndes, the first and chiefest, that wrote most and best, in 
either tong, as Plato and Aristotle in Greeke, Tullie in Latin, be 
so either wholie, or sufficiently left vnto vs, as I neuer knew 
yet scholer, that gaue himselfe to like, and loue, and folow 
chieflie those three Authors but he proued, both learned, wise, 
and also an honest man, if he ioyned with all the trewe doctrine 
of Gods holie Bible, without the which, the other three, be but 
fine edge tooles in a fole or mad mans hand. 

But to returne to Imitation agayne : There be three kindes 
of it in matters of learning. 

The whole doctrine of Comedies and Tragedies, is a 
perfite imitation^ or faire liuelie painted picture of the life of 
euerie degree of man. Of this Imitation writeth Plato at 
large in 3. de Rep. but it doth not moch belong at this time to 
our purpose. 

The second kind of Imitation^ is to folow for learning of 
tonges and sciences, the best authors. Here riseth, emonges 
proude and enuious wittes, a great controuersie, whether, one 
or many are to be folowed : and if one, who is that one : Seneca^ 
or Cicero : Salust or Ccesar, and so forth in Greeke and Latin. 

The third kinde of Imitation^ belongeth to the second : as 
when you be determined, whether ye will folow one or mo, to 
know perfitlie, and which way to folow that one : in what 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 267 

place : by what meane and order : by what tooles and instru- 
mentes ye shall do it, by what skill and iudgement, ye shall 
trewelie discerne, whether ye folow rightlie or no. 

This Imitat'io^ is dhsimllis materiel similis tradatio : and also, 
si mi lis materiel dlssl mills tra^atlo^ as Virglll folowed Homer : but 
the Argument to the one was Vlysses^ to the other /Eneas. 
TuUle persecuted Antonle with the same wepons of eloquence, 
that Deynosthenes vsed before against Philippe. 

Horace foloweth Pindar^ but either of them his owne 
Argument and Person : as the one, Hlero king of Slcllle^ the 
other Augustus the Emperor : and yet both for like respectes, 
that is, for their coragious stoutnes in warre, and iust gouern- 
ment in peace. 

One of the best examples, for right Imitation we lacke, and 
that is Menander.^ whom our Terence^ (as the matter required) in 
like argument, in the same Persons, with equall eloquence, foote 
by foote did folow. 

Som peeces remaine, like broken lewelles, whereby men 
may rightlie esteme, and iustlie lament, the losse of the 
whole. 

Erasmus., the ornament of learning, in our tyme, doth wish 
that som man of learning and diligence, would take the like 
paines in Deynosthenes and Tullle., that Macrohlus hath done in 
Hotner and Virglll., that is, to write out and ioyne together, 
where the one doth imitate the other. Erasmus wishe is good, 
but surelie, it is not good enough : for Macrohlus gatherings for 
the /Eneldos out of Homer., and Eobanus Hessus more diligent 
gatherings for the BucoUkes out of Theocritus^ as they be not 
fullie taken out of the whole heape, as they should be, but euen 
as though they had not sought for them of purpose, but fownd 
them scatered here and there by chance in their way, euen so, 
onelie to point out, and nakedlie to ioyne togither their 
sentences, with no farder declaring the maner and way, how 
the one doth folow the other, were but a colde helpe, to the 
encrease of learning. 

But if a man would take this paine also, whan he hath layd 
two places, of Homer and Vlrgill., or of Demosthenes and Tullle 
togither, to teach plainlie withall, after this sort. 

I. Tullle reteyneth thus moch of the matter, thies 
sentences, thies wordes : 



268 T^he second booke teachyng 

2. This and that he leaueth out, which he doth wittelie to 
this end and purpose. 

3. This he addeth here. 

4. This he diminisheth there. 

5. This he ordereth thus, with placing that here, not 
there. 

6. This he altereth and changeth, either, in propertie of 
wordes, in forme of sentence, in substance of the matter, or in 
one, or other conuenient circumstance of the authors present 
purpose. In thies fewe rude English wordes, are wrapt vp all 
the necessarie tooles and instrumentes, wherewith trewe Imita- 
tion is rightlie wrought withall in any tonge. Which tooles, 
I openlie confesse, be not of myne owne forging, but partlie left 
vnto me by the cunniiigest Master, and one of the worthiest 
lentlemen that euer England bred, Syr lohn Cheke : partelie 
borowed by me out of the shoppe of the dearest frende I haue 
out of England, lo. St. And therefore I am the bolder to 
borow of him, and here to leaue them to other, and namelie to 
my Children : which tooles, if it please God, that an other day, 
they may be able to vse rightlie, as I do wish and daylie pray, 
they may do, I shal be more glad, than if I were able to leaue 
them a great quantitie of land. 

This foresaide order and doctrine of Imitation, would bring 
forth more learning, and breed vp trewer iudgement, than any 
other exercise that can be vsed, but not for yong beginners, 
bicause they shall not be able to consider dulie therof. And 
trewelie, it may be a shame to good studentes who hauing so 
faire examples to follow, as P/ato and Tu/Iie, do not vse so wise 
wayes in folowing them for the obteyning of wisdome and 
learning, as rude ignorant Artificers do, for gayning a small 
commoditie. For surelie the meanest painter vseth more witte, 
better arte, greater diligence, in hys shoppe, in folowing the 
Picture of any meane mans face, than commonlie the best 
studentes do, euen in the vniuersitie, for the atteining of 
learning it selfe. 

Some ignorant, vjilearned, and idle student : or some busie 
looker vpon this litle poore booke, that hath neither will to do 
good him selfe, nor skill to iudge right of others, but can lustelie 
contemne, by pride and ignorance, all painfull diligence and 
right order in study, will perchance say, that I am to precise, to 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 269 

curious, in marking and piteling thus about the imitation of 
others : and that the olde worthie Authors did neuer busie their 
heades and wittes, in folowyng so preciselie, either the matter 
what other men wrote, or els the maner how other men wrote. 
They will say, it were a plaine slauerie, h iniurie to, to shakkle 
and tye a good witte, and hinder the course of a mas good 
nature with such bondes of seruitude, in folowyng other. 

Except soch men thinke them selues wiser then Cicero for 
teaching of eloquence, they must be content to turne a new 
leafe. 

The best booke that euer TidUe wrote, by all mens iudge- 
ment, and by his owne testimonie to, in writyng wherof, he 
employed most care, studie, learnyng and iudgement, is his 
booke de Orat. ad Q. F. Now let vs see, what he did for the 
matter, and also for the maner of writing therof. For the 
whole booke consisteth in these two pointes onelie : In good 
matter, and good handling of the matter. And first, for the 
matter, it is whole Aristotles^ what so euer Antonie in the 
second, and Crassus in the third doth teach. Trust not me, 
but beleue Tullie him selfe, who writeth so, first, in that goodlie 
long Epistle ad P. Lentulum^ and after in diuerse places ad 
Atticum. And in the verie booke it selfe, Tullie will not haue 
it hidden, but both Catulus and Crassus do oft and pleasantly lay 
that stelth to Antonhis charge. Now, for the handling of the 
matter, was Tullie so precise and curious rather to follow an 
other mans Paterne, than to inuent some newe shape him selfe, 
namelie in that booke, wherin he purposed, to leaue to 
posteritie, the glorie of his witte ? yea forsoth, that he did. 
And this is not my gessing and gathering, nor onelie performed 
by Tullie in verie deed, but vttered also by Tullie in plaine 
wordes : to teach other men thereby, what they should do, in 
taking like matter in hand. 

And that which is specially to be marked, Tullie doth vtter 
plainlie his conceit and purpose therein, by the mouth of 
the wisest man in all that companie : for sayth Scceuola him 
selfe, Cur non imitamur^ Crasse^ Socratem illum^ qui est in Ph^edro 
Platonis isfc. 

And furder to vnderstand, that Tullie did not ohiter and 
bichance, but purposelie and mindfullie bend him selfe to 
a precise and curious Imitation of Plato^ concernyng the shape 



270 T'he second hooke teachyng 

and forme of those bookes, marke I pray you, how curious 
TuUie is to vtter his purpose and doyng therein, writing thus to 
Atticus. 

Quod in his Oratorijs /ibris, quos tantopere laudas^ personam 
desideras Scceuolce^ non earn temerk dimoui : Sed feci idem, quod in 
TToXireia Deus ilk noster Plato, cum in Piraemn Socrates venisset ad 
Cephalu?n locupletem ^ festiuum Senefn, quoad primus ille sermo 
haheretur, adest in disputando senex : Deinde, cum ipse quoa 
commodissime locutus esset, ad rem diuind dicit se velle discedere^ 
neg postea reuertitur. Credo Platonern vix putasse satis consonum 
fore, si hominem id cetatis in tam longo sermone diutius retinuisset : 
Multo ego satius hoc mihi cauendum putaui in Sdreuola, qui y atate 
et valetudine erat ea qua meministi, &" his honoribus, vt vix satis 
decoru?n videretur eum plures dies esse in Crassi Tusculano. Et erat 
primi libri sermo non alienus a Sc^uol^e studijs : reliqui Hbri 
re-x^voXoyiav habent, vt scis. Huic ioculatorice disputationi senem 
ilium vt noras, interesse sanh nolui. 

If Cicero had not opened him selfe, and declared hys owne 
thought and doynges herein, men that be idle, and ignorant, and 
enuious of other mens diligence and well doinges, would haue 
sworne that Tullie had neuer mynded any soch thing, but that 
of a precise curiositie, we fayne and forge and father soch 
thinges of Tullie, as he neuer ment in deed. I write this, not 
for nought : for I haue heard some both well learned, and 
otherwayes verie wise, that by their lustie misliking of soch 
diligence, haue drawen back the forwardnes of verie good wittes. 
But euen as such men them selues, do sometymes stumble vpon 
doyng well by chance and benefite of good witte, so would 
I haue our scholer alwayes able to do well by order of learnyng 
and right skill of iudgement. 

Concernyng Imitation, many learned men haue written, 
with moch diuersitie for the matter, and therfore with great 
contrarietie and some stomacke amongest them selues. I 
haue read as many as I could get diligentlie, and what I 
thinke of euerie one of them, I will freelie say my mynde. 
With which freedome I trust good men will beare, bicause 
it shall tend to neither spitefull nor harmefull controuersie. 

In Tullie, it is well touched, shortlie taught, not fullie 
declared by Ant. in 2. de Or at : and afterward 
in Orat. ad Brutum, for the liking and misliking 



Dio. Hali- 

car. 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 271 

of hocratei : and the contrarie iudgement of TuUie against 
Caluus^ Brutus^ and Caltdius^ de genere dicendl Attico l^ As'iatico. 

Dionh. Halle, irepl fjiLfir](Te(o<i. I feare is lost : which 
Author, next Aristotli\ Plato^ and TuU'ie^ of all 
other, that write of eloquence, by the iudgement 
of them that be best learned, deserueth the next 
prayse and place. 

QuintUian writeth of it, shortly and coldlie for the matter, 
yet hotelie and spitefullie enough, agaynst the . 

Imitation of Titll'ie. 

Erasmus., beyng more occupied in spying other mens faultes, 
than declaryng his owne aduise, is mistaken of 
many, to the great hurt of studie, for his authoritie 
sake. For he writeth rightlie, rightlie vnderstanded : he and 
Longolius onelie differing in this, that the one seemeth to giue 
ouermoch, the other ouer litle, to him, whom they both, best 
loued, and chiefly allowed of all other. 

Bud^iis in his Commentaries roughlie and obscure! ie, 
after his kinde of writyno- : and for the matter, „ , 
caryed somwhat out or the way m ouermuch 
misliking the Imitation of TuU'ie. ph^ Me- 

Ph'il. MelanSihon., learnedlie and trewlie. lamh. 

Camerar'ius largely with a learned iudgement, loa. Ca- 
but somewhat confusedly, and with ouer rough ''''''■ 
a stile. 

Sanibucus^ largely, with a right iudgement but somewhat 
a crooked stile. Sdbucus. 

Other haue written also, as Cortesius to 
Politian., and that verie well : Bembus ad Picum 
a great deale better, but loan. Sturmius de ,' 
Nobilitate literata^ & de Amissa dicendl ratione, mhis. " 
farre best of all, in myne opinion, that euer tooke 
this matter in hand. For all the rest, declare chiefly this point, 
whether one, or many, or all, are to be followed : but Sturmius 
onelie hath most learnedlie declared, who is to be followed, what 
is to be followed, and the best point of all, by what way & order, 
trew Imitatio is rightlie to be exercised. And although Sturmius 
herein doth farre passe all other, yet hath he not so fullie and 
perfitelie done it, as I do wishe he had, and as I know he could. 
For though he hath done it perfitelie for precept, yet hath he 



272 The second hooke teachyng 

not done it perfitelie enough for example : which he did, neither 
for lacke of skill, nor by negligence, but of purpose, conteted 
with one or two examples, bicause he was mynded in those two 
bookes, to write of it both shortlie, and also had to touch other 
matters. 

Barthol. Riccius Ferrariens'is also hath written learnedlie, 
diligentlie and verie largelie of this matter euen as hee did before 
verie well de Apparatu llnguce Lat. He writeth the better in 
myne opinion, bicause his whole doctrine, iudgement, and 
order, semeth to be borowed out of lo. Stur. bookes. He 
addeth also examples, the best kinde of teaching : wherein he 
doth well, but not well enough : in deede, he committeth no 
faulte, but yet, deserueth small praise. He is content with the 
meane, and followeth not the best : as a man, that would feede 
vpon Acornes, whan he may eate, as good cheape, the finest 
wheat bread. He teacheth for example, where and how, two 
or three late Italian Poetes do follow Virgil: and how Virgil 
him selfe in the storie of Dido^ doth wholie Imitate Catullus in 
the like matter of Jriadna : Wherein I like better his dihVence 
and order of teaching, than his iudgemet in choice of examples 
for Imitation. But, if he had done thus : if he had declared 
where and how, how oft and how many wayes Virgil doth folow 
Horner^ as for example the coming of Vlysses to Alcy?ious and 
Calypso^ with the comming of /Eneas to Cartage and Dido : Like- 
wise the games running, wrestling, and shoting, that Achilles 
maketh in Homer., with the selfe same games, that /Eneas 
maketh in Virgil: The harnesse of Achilles., with the harnesse 
of /Eneas., and the maner of making of them both by Vulcane : 
The notable combate betwixt Achilles and He£lor^ with as 
notable a combate betwixt /Eneas and Turniis. The going 
downe to hell of Vlysses in Ho?ner., with the going downe to hell 
o^ /Eneas in Virgil: and other places infinite mo, as similitudes, 
narrations, messages, discriptions of persones, places, battels, 
tempestes, shipwrackes, and common places for diuerse purposes, 
which be as precisely taken out oi Homer, as euer did Painter in 
London follow the picture of any faire personage. And whe 
thies places had bene gathered together by this way of diligence 
than to haue conferred them together by this order of teaching 
as, diligently to marke what is kept and vsed in either author, 
in wordes, in sentences, in matter : what is added : what is left 



the ready way to the Lath? tong. 273 

out : what ordered otherwise, either prceponendo^ interponendo^ or 
poitponendo : And what is altered for any respect, in word, 
phrase, sentence, figure, reason, argument, or by any way of 
circumstance : If Riccius had done this, he had not onely bene 
well liked, for his diligence in teaching, but also iustlie com- 
mended for his right iudgement in right choice of examples for 
the best Imitation. 

Riccius also for Imitation of prose declareth where and how 
LongoUus doth folow Tullie^ but as for Longoliusy I would not 
haue him the patern of our bnitatioi. In deede : in LongoUus 
shoppe, be proper and faire shewing colers, but as for shape, 
figure, and naturall cumlines, by the iudgement of best iudging 
artificers, he is rather allowed as one to be borne withall, than 
especially commeded, as one chieflie to be folowed. 

If Riccius had taken for his exilples, where TulUe him selfe 
foloweth either Rlato or Detnosthenes^ he had shot than at the 
right marke. But to excuse Riccius^ somwhat, though I can 
not fullie defend him, it may be sayd, his purpose was, to teach 
onelie the Latin tong, when thys way that I do wish, to ioyne 
Firgil with Home)., to read TulUe with Demosthenes and Plato^ 
requireth a cunning and perfite Master in both the tonges. It 
is my wish in deede, and that by good reason : For who so euer 
will write well of any matter, must labor to expresse that, that 
is perfite, and not to stay and content himselfe with the meane: 
yea, I say farder, though it be not vnposible, yet it is verie rare, 
and meruelous hard, to proue excellent in the Latin tong, for 
him that is not also well seene in the Greeke tong. TulUe him 
selfe, most excellent of nature, most diligent in labor, brought 
vp from his cradle, in that place, and in that tyme, where and 
whan the Latin tong most florished naturallie in euery mans 
mouth, yet was not his owne tong able it selfe to make him so 
cunning in his owne tong, as he was in deede : but the 
knowledge and Imitation of the Greeke tong withall. 

This he confesseth himselfe: this hevttereth in many places, 
as those can tell best, that vse to read him most. 

Therefore thou, that shotest at perfection in the Latin tong, 
thinke not thy selfe wiser than Tul/ie was., in choice of the way, 
that leadeth rightlie to the same: thinke not thy witte better 
than TuUies was, as though that may serue thee that was not 
sufficient for him. For euen as a hauke flieth not hie with one 



274 '^^^^ second booke teachyng 

wing : euen so a man reacheth not to excellency with one 
tong. 

I haue bene a looker on in the Cokpit of learning thies 
many yeares: And one Cock onelie haue I knowne, which 
with one wing, euen at this day, doth passe all other, in myne 
opinion, that euer I saw in any pitte in England, though they 
had two winges. Yet neuerthelesse, to flie well with one 
wing, to runne fast with one leg, be rather, rare Maistreis 
moch to be merueled at, than sure examples safelie to be 
folowed. A Bushop that now liueth, a good man, whose 
iudgement in Religion I better like, than his opinion in per- 
fitnes in other learning, said once vnto me: we haue no nede 
now of the Greeke tong, when all thinges be translated into 
Latin. But the good ma vnderstood not, that euen the best 
translation, is, for mere necessitie, but an euill imped wing to 
flie withall, or a heuie stompe leg of wood to go withall : soch, 
the hier they flie, the sooner they falter and faill : the faster 
they runne, the ofter they stumble, and sorer they fall. Soch 
as will nedes so flie, may flie at a Pye, and catch a Dawe: And 
soch runners, as commonlie, they shoue and sholder to stand 
formost, yet in the end they cum behind others & deserue 
but the hopshakles, if the Masters of the game be right iudgers. 

Therefore in perusing thus, so many diuerse bookes for 
Imitation^ it came into my head that a verie pro- 
Optima fitable booke might be made de bnitatione. after 
ratio Imi- ^ ' 
tationis. an Other sort, than euer yet was attempted of that 

matter, conteyning a certaine fewe fitte preceptes, 
vnto the which should be gathered and applied plentie of 
examples, out of the choisest authors of both the tonges. 
This worke would stand, rather in good diligence, for the 
gathering, and right iudgement for the apte applying of those 
examples : than any great learning or vtterance at all. 

The doing thereof, would be more pleasant, than painfull, 
& would bring also moch proffet to all that should read it, and 
great praise to him would take it in hand, with iust desert of 
thankes. 

Erasmus^ giuyng him selfe to read ouer all Authors Greke 
Erasmus ^"'^ Latin^ seemeth to haue prescribed to him 

order in his selfe this order of readyng : that is, to note out 
studie. ^jy the way, three speciall pointes: All Adagies, 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 275 

all similitudes, and all wittie sayinges of most notable person- 
ages : And so, by one labour, he left to posteritie, three notable 
bookes, & namelie two his Chiliades^ Apophthegmata and Simtlia. 
Likewise, if a good student would bend him selfe to read 
diligently ouer Tullie, and with him also at , „. 

the same tyme, as diligetly Plato^ & Xenophd^ Xenophon. 

with his bookes of Philosophie, Isocrotes^ Sc Cicero. J. hocrates. 
Demosthenes with his orations, & Aristotle with ^""Vi^l' 

his Rhetorickes: which fiue of all other, be 
those, whom TuUie best loued, & specially followed : h would 
marke diligetly in Tullie^ where he doth exprimere or ejjlngere 
(which be the verie propre wordes of Imitation) either, Cop'iam 
Platonis or venustate Xenophonth^ suauitatem IsocratiSy or vim 
Demosthenisy propriarn l^ puram suhtilitatem Aristotelisy and not 
onelie write out the places diligentlie, and lay them together 
orderlie, but also to conferre them with skilfull iudgement by 
those few rules, which I haue expressed now twise before : if 
that diligence were taken, if that order were vsed, what perfite 
knowledge of both the tonges, what readie and pithie vtterance 
in all matters, what right and deepe iudgement in all kinde of 
learnyng would follow, is scarse credible to be beleued. 

These bookes, be not many, nor long, nor rude in speach, 
nor meane in matter, but next the Maiestie of Gods holie word, 
most worthie for a man, the louer of learning and honestie, to 
spend his life in. Yea, I haue heard worthie M. Cheke many 
tymes say: I would haue a good student passe and iorney 
through all Authors both Greke and Latin: but he that will 
dwell in these few bookes onelie: first, in Gods holie Bible, and 
than ioyne with it, Tullie in Latin^ Plato^ Aristotle: Xenophon: 
Isocrates: and Demosthenes in Greke: must nedes proue an excel- 
lent man. 

Some men alreadie in our dayes, haue put to their helping 
handes, to this worke of Imitation. As Peri- Perionius. 
oniuSy Her. Stephanus in dictionario CiceronianOy fj_ Steph. 
and P. Vi£iorius most praise worth el ie of all, in p, vutor- 
that his learned worke conteyning xxv. bookes de i»s. 
varia leStione: in which bookes be ioyned diligentlie together the 
best Authors of both the tonges where one doth seeme to 
imitate an other. 

But all these, with Macrohiusy Hessus, and other, be no 

s 2 



276 T'lie second booke teachyng 

more but common porters, caryers, and bringers of matter and 
stuffe togither. They order nothing: They lay before you, 
what is done: they do not teach you, how it is done: They 
busie not them selues with forme of buildyng: They do not 
declare, this stuffe is thus framed by Demosthenes^ and thus and 
thus by TuUie^ and so likewise in Xenophon^ Plato and Isocrates 
and Aristotle. For ioyning Fhgil with Homer I haue suf- 
ficientlie declared before. 

The like diligence I would wish to be taken in Pindar and 
n- , Horace an equall match for all respectes. 

rr f- In 1 ragedies, (the goodliest Argument or all, 

and for the vse, either of a learned preacher, or a 
Ciuill lentleman, more profitable than Horner^ Pindar^ Virgill^ 
and Horace: yea comparable in myne opinion, with the doctrine 
Sophocles. of Aristotle^ Plato., and Xenophon.^ the Grecians^ 

Euripides. Sophocles and Euripides far ouer match our Senecay 

Seneca. in Latin^ namely in otKovofjilci et Decoro^ although 

Senacaes elocutio and verse be verie commendable for his tyme. 
And for the matters of Hercules^ Thebes^ Hippolytus^ and "Troiey 
his Imitation is to be gathered into the same booke, and to be 
tryed by the same touchstone, as is spoken before. 

In histories, and namelie in Liuiey the like diligence of 
Imitation, could bring excellent learning, and breede stayde 
iudgement, in taking any like matter in hand. 

Onely Liuie were a sufficient taske for one mans studie, 
Tit. Liuiiis. to compare him, first with his fellow for all re- 
Dion. Hcili- spectes, Dion. Halicarnass^us: who both, lined in 
cam. one tyme: tooke both one historic in hande to 

write: deserued both like prayse of learnyng and eloquence. 
_ .... Than with Polybius that wise writer, whom Liuie 

professeth to follow: & if he would denie it, yet 
it is plaine, that the best part of the thyrd Decade in Liuie^ is in 

a maner translated out of the thyrd and rest of 
Thucidides. PoUbius: Lastlie with T'/m;yr//V/«, to whose Imita- 

tion Liuie is curiouslie bent, as may well appeare by that one 

Oration of those of Campania^ asking aide of the 
I /;^frt • Romanes agaynst the Saninites, which is wholie 

taken, Sentence, Reason, Argument, and order, 
rp, -^ out of the Oration of Corcyra^ asking like aide of 

the Athenienses against them of Corinth. If some 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 277 

diligent student would take paynes to compare them togither, he 
should easelie perceiue, that I do say trew. A boolce, thus 
wholie filled with examples of Imitatiu, first out of TuUle^ 
compared with Plato^ Xenopho?i^ hocrotes^ Detnosthenes and 
Aristotle', than out of Virgil and Horace, with Horner and 
F'mdar: next out of Seneca with Sophocles and Euripides: Lastlie 
out of Liuie^ with Thiicydides^ Polibius and Halicarnasso'us^ 
gathered with good diligence, and compared with right order, 
as I haue expressed before, were an other maner of worke for 
all kinde of learning, & namely for eloquence, than be those 
cold gatheringes of Macrobius^ Hessus, Perionius^ Stepbamis, and 
Vi^orius^ which may be vsed, as I sayd before, in this case, as 
porters and caryers, deseruing like prayse, as soch men do 
wages ; but onely Sturniius is he, out of who, the trew suruey 
and whole workemanship is speciallie to be learned, 

I trust, this my writyng shall giue some good student 
occasion, to take some peece in hand of this worke of Imitation. 
And as I had rather haue any do it, than my q , 
selfe, yet surelie my selfe rather tha none at all. recta imi- 
And by Gods grace, if God do lend me life, with taudi ra- 
health, free laysure and libertie, with good likyng '^'o"^- 
and a merie heart, I will turne the best part of my studie and 
tyme, to toyle in one or other peece of this worke of Imitation. 

This diligence to gather examples, to giue light and vnder- 
standyng to goodpreceptes,is no new inuention,but speciallie vsed 
of the best Authors and oldest writers. For Aristotle a .- f , ? 
him selfe, (as Diog. Laertius declareth) when he 
had written that goodlie booke of the Topickes^ did gather out 
of stories and Orators, so many examples as filled xv. bookes, 
onelie to expresse the rules of his Topickes. These were the 
Commentaries, that Aristotle thought fit for hys 
Topickes: And therfore to speake as I thinke, I tanTGv^"- 
neuer saw yet any Commentarie vpon Aristotles ci et Lati- 
Logicke, either in Greke or Latin^ that euer I "i ^^ Dia- 
lyked, bicause they be rather spent in declaryng ^totelis " 
scholepoynt rules, than in gathering fit examples 
for vse and vtterance, either by pen or talke. For preceptes in 
all Authors, and namelie in Aristotle^ without applying vnto 
them, the Imitation of examples, be hard, drie, and cold, and 
therfore barrayn, vnfruitfull and vnpleasant. But Aristotle^ 



278 The second booke teachyng 

namelic in his Topickes and Blenches^ should be, not onclie 
fruitful!, but also pleasant to, if examples out of Plato^ and 
other good Authors, were diligentlie gathered, and aptlie 
Precepta applied vnto his most perfit preceptes there, 

in Aiistot, And it is notable, that my frende Sturniius writeth 

Exempla herein, that there is no precept in Aristotles 

in Platoiie. Topickes^ wherof plentie of examples be not 

manifest in Platos workes. And I heare say, that an excellent 
learned man, Tomitanm in Italie^ hath expressed euerie fallacion 
in Arhtotle^ with diuerse examples out of Plato. Would to 
God, I might once see, some worthie student of Aristotle and 
Plato in Cambrige, that would ioyne in one booke the preceptes 
of the one, with the examples of the other. For such a labor, 
were one speciall peece of that worke of Imitation, which I do 
wishe were gathered together in one Volume. 

Cambrige, at my first comming thither, but not at my 
going away, committed this fault in reading the preceptes of 
y/m^(7//^ without the examples of other Authors: But herein, 
in my time thies men of worthie memorie, M. Redman^ 
M. Cheke, M. Smith, M. Haddon, M. JVatson, put so to 
their helping handes, as that vniuersitie, and all studentes there, 
as long as learning shall last, shall be bounde vnto them, if that 
trade in studie be trewlie folowed, which those men left behinde 
them there. 

By this small mention of Cambridge, I am caryed into three 
imaginations : first, into a sweete remembrance of my tyme 
spent there : than, into som carefull thoughts, for the greuous 
alteration that folowed sone after : lastlie, into much ioy to 
heare tell, of the good recouerie and earnest forwardnes in all 
good learning there agayne. 

To vtter theis my thoughts somwhat more largelie, were 
somwhat beside my matter, yet not very farre out of the way, 
bycause it shall wholy tend to the good encoragement and right 
consideration of learning, which is my full purpose in writing 
this litle booke: whereby also shall well appeare this sentence 
to be most trewe, that onely good men, by their gouernment 
& example, make happie times, in euery degree and state. 

Doctor Nico. Medcalfe, that honorable father, was Master 
D Nic °^ ^' ^°^^^^^^ Colledge, when I came thether: A 

Medcaif. nian meanelie learned himselfe, but not meanely 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 279 

affectioned to set forward learning in others. He found 
that Colledge spending scarse two hundred markes by yeare : 
he left it spending a thousand markes and more. Which 
he procured, not with his mony, but by his wisdome ; not 
chargeablie bought by him, but liberallie geuen by others by his 
meane, for the zeale & honor they bare to learning. And that 
which is worthy of memorie, all thies giuers were almost 
Northenmen : who being liberallie rewarded in the seruice of 
their Prince, bestowed it as liberallie for the good of their 
Contrie. Som men thought therefore, that D. Medcalfe was 
parciall to Northrenmen, but sure I am of this, that North- 
renme were parciall, in doing more good, and geuing more 
lades to y^ forderance of learning, than any other 
contrie me, in those dayes, did : which deede ,5 P^^*^'" 
should haue bene, rather an example of goodnes, Northren 
for other to folowe, than matter of malice, for any men in 
to enuie, as some there were that did. Trewly, ^" ^"^"^^ 
D. Medcalfe was parciall to none: but indifferent 
to all : a master for the whole, a father to euery one, in that 
Colledge. There was none so poore, if he had, either wil to 
goodnes, or wit to learning, that could lacke being there, or 
should depart from thence for any need. I am witnes my selfe, 
that mony many times was brought into yong mens studies by 
strangers whom they knew not. In which doing, this worthy 
Nicolaus folowed the steppes of good olde S. Nicolaus, that 
learned Bishop. He was a Papist in deede, but would to God, 
amonges all vs Protestats I might once see but one, that would 
winne like praise, in doing like good, for the aduauncement of 
learning and vertue. And yet, though he were a Papist, if any 
yong man, geuen to new learning (as they termed it) went 
beyond his fellowes, in witte, labor, and towardnes, euen the 
same, neyther lacked, open praise to encorage him, nor priuate 
exhibition to mainteyne hym, as worthy Syr /. Cheke^ if he 
were aliue would beare good witnes and so can many mo, 
I my selfe one of the meanest of a great number, in that 
Colledge, because there appeared in me som small shew of 
towardnes and diligence, lacked not his fauor to forder me in 
learning. 

And being a boy, new Bacheler of arte, I chanced amonges 
my companions to speake against the Pope: which matter was 



280 'The second booke teachyng 

than in euery mans mouth, bycause D. Haines and D, Skippe 
were cum from the Court, to debate the same matter, by 
preaching and disputation in the vniuersitie. This hapned the 
same tyme, when I stoode to be felow there : my taulke came 
to D. Mcdcalfes eare : I was called before him and the Seniores : 
and after greuous rebuke, and some punishment, open warning 
was geuen to all the felowes, none to be so bardie to geue me 
his voice at that election. And yet for all those open threates, 
the good father himselfe priuilie procured, that I should euen 
than be chosen felow. But, the election being done, he made 
countinance of great discontentation thereat. This good mans 
goodnes, and fatherlie discretion, vsed towardes me that one 
day, shall neuer out of my remembrance all the dayes of my 
life. And for the same cause, haue I put it here, in this small 
record of learning. For next Gods prouidence, surely that day, 
was by that good fathers meanes. Dies natalis^ to me, for the 
whole foundation of the poore learning I haue, and of all the 
furderance, that hetherto else where I haue obteyned. 

This his goodnes stood not still in one or two, but flowed 
aboundantlie ouer all that Colledge, and brake out also to 
norishe good wittes in euery part of that vniuersitie : whereby, 
at this departing thence, he left soch a companie of fellowes and 
scholers in S, lohnes Colledge, as can scarse be found now in 
some whole vniuersitie : which, either for diuinitie, on the one 
side or other, or for Ciuill seruice to their Prince and contrie, 
haue bene, and are yet to this day, notable ornaments to this 
whole Realme : Yea 5. lohnes did the so florish, as Trinitie 
college, that Princely house now, at the first erectio, was but 
Colonia dediUla out of S. Ihones^ not onelie for their Master, 
fellowes, and scholers, but also, which is more, for their whole, 
both order of learning, and discipline of maners : & yet to this 
day, it neuer tooke Master but such as was bred vp before in 
S. lohnes : doing the dewtie of a good Colonia to her Metropolis^ 
as the auncient Cities in Greice and some yet in Italie, at this 
day, are accustomed to do. 

S. lohnes stoode in this state, vntill those heuie tymes, and 

that greuous change that chanced. An. 1553. whan mo perfite 

scholers were dispersed from thence in one moneth, than many 

p . yeares can reare vp againe. For, whan Jper de 

Sylua had passed the seas, and fastned his foote 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 281 

againe in England, not onely the two faire groues of learning 
in England were eyther cut vp, by the roote, or troden downe 
to the ground and wholie went to wraclce, but the yong spring 
there, and euerie where else, was pitifullie nipt and ouertroden 
by very beastes, and also the fairest standers of all, were rooted 
vp, and cast into the fire, to the great weakning euen at this 
day of Christes Chirch in England, both for Religion and 
learning. 

And what good could chance than to the vniuersities, whan 
som of the greatest, though not of the wisest nor best learned, 
nor best men neither of that side, did labor to perswade, that 
ignorance was better than knowledge, which they ment, not for 
the laitie onelie, but also for the greatest rable of their spiritu- 
altie, what other pretense openlie so euer they made : and 
therefore did som of them at Cambrige (whom I will not name 
openlie,) cause hedge priestes fette oute of the contrie, to be 
made fellowes in the vniuersitie : saying, in their talke priuilie, 
and declaring by their deedes openlie, that he was, felow good 
enough for their tyme, if he could were a gowne and a tipet 
cumlie, and haue hys crowne shorne faire and roundlie, and 
could turne his Portesse and pie readilie : whiche I speake not 
to reproue any order either of apparell, or other dewtie, that 
may be well and indifFerentlie vsed, but to note the miserie of 
that time, whan the benefites prouided for learning were so 
fowlie misused. And what was the frute of this seade ? 
Verely, iudgement in doctrine was wholy altered : order in 
discipline very sore changed : the loue of good learning, began 
sodenly to wax cold : the knowledge of the tonges (in spite of 
some that therein had florished) was manifestly contemned : 
and so, y^ way of right studie purposely peruerted : the choice 
of good authors of mallice confownded. Olde sophistrie (I say 
not well) not olde, but that new rotten sophistrie began to 
beard and sholder logicke in her owne tong : yea, I know, that 
heades were cast together, and counsell deuised, that Duns^ with 
all the rable of barbarous question istes, should haue dispossessed 
of their place and rowmes, Aristotle^ Plato^ Tullie^ ^^^.^^ ^ . ^ 
and Demosthenes^ when good M. Redman^ and pi^to, 
those two worthy starres of that vniuersitie, ckero. 
M. Cheke^ and M. Smithy with their scholers, had Demost. 
brought to florishe as notable in Cambrige, as 



282 'The second booke teachyng 

euer they did in Grece and in Italic : and for the doctrine of 
those fowre, the fowre pillers of learning, Cambrige than geuing 
place to no vniuersitie, neither in France, Spaine, Germanie, 
nor Italie. Also in outward behauiour, than began simplicitie 
in apparel], to be layd aside : Courtlie galantnes to be taken vp : 
frugalitie in diet was priuately misliked : Towne going to good 
, . cheare openly vsed : honest pastimes, ioyned with 

labor, left of in the fieldes : vnthrifty and idle 
games, haunted corners, and occupied the nightes : contention 
in youth, no where for learning : factions in the elders euery 
where for trifles. All which miseries at length, by Gods 
prouidence, had their end 16. Nouemb. 1558. Since which 
tyme, the yong spring hath shot vp so faire, as now there be in 
Cambrige againe, many goodly plantes (as did well appeare at 
the Queenes Maiesties late being there) which are like to grow 
to mightie great timber, to the honor of learning, and great good 
of their contrie, if they may stand their tyme, as the best 
plantes there were wont to do : and if som old dotterell trees, 
with standing ouer nie them, and dropping vpon them, do not 
either hinder, or crooke their growing, wherein my feare is y*^ 
lesse, seing so worthie a Justice of an Oyre hath the present 
ouersight of that whole chace, who was himselfe somtym, in 
the fairest spring that euer was there of learning, one of the 
forwardest yong plantes, in all that worthy College of S. Ihones : 
who now by grace is growne to soch greatnesse, as, in the 
temperate and quiet shade of his wisdome, next the prouidece 
of God, and goodnes of one, in theis our daies, Rcligio for 
sinceritie, I'lterce for order and aduauncement, Respub. for happie 
and quiet gouernment, haue to great rejoysing of all good men, 
speciallie reposed them selues. 

Now to returne to that Question, whether one, a few, many 
or all, are to be folowed, my aunswere shalbe short : All, for 
him that is desirous to know all : yea, the worst of all, as 
Questionistes, and all the barbarous nation of scholemen, helpe 
for one or other consideration : But in euerie separate kinde of 
learning and studie, by it selfe, ye must follow, choiselie a icw^ 
and chieflie some one, and that namelie in our schole of 
eloquence, either for penne or talke. And as in portraicture 
and paintyng wise men chose not that workman, that can onelie 
make a faire hand, or a well facioned legge but soch one, as can 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 283 

furnish vp fullie, all the fetures of the whole body, of a man, 
woman and child : and with all is able to, by good skill, to giue 
to euerie one of these three, in their proper kinde, the right 
forme, the trew figure, the naturall color, that is fit and dew, 
to the dignitie of a man, to the bewtie of a woman, to the 
sweetnes of a yong babe : euen likewise, do we seeke soch one 
in our schole to folow, who is able alwayes, in all matters, to 
teach plainlie, to delite pleasantlie, and to cary away by force of 
wise talke, all that shall heare or read him : and is so excellent 
in deed, as witte is able, or wishe can hope, to attaine vnto : 
And this not onelie to serue in the Latin or Greke tong, but 
also in our own English language. But yet, bicause the prouid- 
ence of God hath left vnto vs in no other tong, saue onelie in 
the Greke and Latin tong, the trew preceptes, and perfite 
examples of eloquence, therefore must we seeke in the Authors 
onelie of those two tonges, the trewe Paterne of Eloquence, if 
in any other mother tongue we looke to attaine, either to perfit 
vtterance of it our selues, or skilfull iudgement of it in others. 

And now to know, what Author doth medle onelie with 
some one peece and member of eloquence, and who doth 
perfitelie make vp the whole bodie, I will declare, as I can call 
to remembrance the goodlie talke, that I haue had oftentymes, 
of the trew difference of Authors, with that lentleman of 
worthie memorie, my dearest frend, and teacher of all the litle 
poore learning I haue, Syr lohn Cheke. 

The trew difference of Authors is best knowne, per diuersa 
genera dicendi^ that euerie one vsed. And therfore here I will 
deuide genus dicendi, not into these three, Tenue^ med'iocr}:^ i^ 
grande^ but as the matter of euerie Author requireth, as 



in Genus 



'Poet'icum. 
Historicum. 
Philosophicum. 
Oraioriu?n, 



These differre one from an other, in choice of wordes, in 
framyng of Sentences, in handling of Argumentes, and vse of 
right forme, figure, and number, proper and fitte for euerie 
matter, and euerie one of these is diiierse also in it selfe, as the 
first. 



284 The second booke teachyng 



Poeticum. in 



ComiciDn. 
Tragi cum. 
Epicum. 
.Melicum. 



And here, who soeuer hath bene diligent to read aduisedlie 
ouer, Terence^ Seneca^ Vi7-gil^ Horace^ or els Aristophanes^ Sophocles^ 
Horner^ and Pindar^ and shall diligetly marlce the difference 
they vse, in proprietie of wordes, in forme of sentence, in 
handlyng of their matter, he shall easelie perceiue, what is fitte 
and decorum in euerie one, to the trew vse of perfite Imitation. 
Whan M. Watson in S. lohns College at Cambrige wrote his 
excellent Tragedie of Absalon^ M. Cheke^ he and I, for that part 
of trew Imitation, had many pleasant tallces togither, in com- 
paring the preceptes of Aristotle and Horace de Arte Poetica^ 
with the examples of Euripides^ Sophocles^ and Seneca. Few 
men, in writyng of Tragedies in our dayes, haue shot at this 
marlce. Some in England^ moe in France^ Germanu\ and Italie^ 
also haue written Tragedies in our tyme : of the which, not 
one I am sure is able to abyde the trew touch of Aristotles 
preceptes, and Euripides examples, saue onely two, that euer I 
saw, M. Watsons Ahsalon^ and Georgius Buckananus lephthe. 
One man in Cambrige, well liked of many, but best liked of 
him selfe, was many tymes bold and busie, to bryng matters 
vpon stages, which he called Tragedies. In one, wherby he 
looked to Wynne his spurres, and whereat many ignorant felowes 
fast clapped their handes, he began the Protasis with Trochmjs 
Odonarijs : which kinde of verse, as it is but seldome and rare 
in Tragedies, so is it neuer vsed, saue onelie in Epitasi : whan 
the Tragedie is hiest and hotest, and full of greatest troubles. 
I remember ful well what M. Watson merelie sayd vnto me of 
his blindnesse and boldnes in that behalfe although otherwise, 
there passed much frendship betwene the. M. JVatson had an 
other maner care of perfection, with a feare and reuerence of 
the iudgement of the best learned : Who to this day would 
neuer suffer, yet his Absalon to go abroad, and that onelie, 
bicause, in locis paribus^ Anapestus is twise or thrise vsed in stede 
of Iambus. A smal faulte, and such one, as perchance would 
neuer be marked, no neither in Italic nor France. This 1 write, 
not so much, to note the first, or praise the last, as to leaue in 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 285 

memorie of writing, for good example to posteritie, what 
perfection, in any tyme, was, most diligentlie sought for in like 
maner, in all kinde of learnyng, in that most worthie College 
of S. lohns in Cambrige, 

ID'iaria. 
Annaks. 
Lommentanos. 
lustani H'lstoriam. 

For what proprietie in wordes, simplicitie in sentences, 

plainnesse and light, is cumelie for these kindes, C^sar and 

Liuie^ for the two last, are perfite examples of Imitation : And 

for the two first, the old paternes be lost, and as for some that 

be present and of late tyme, they be fitter to be read once for 

some pleasure, than oft to be perused, for any good Imitation of 

them. 

D/ •/ , / • • ( Sermonem^ as officia Cic. et Eth. Arist. 
rbimophicum in ->' ^ . ' -'^ 

•^ yContentionem. 

As, the Dialoges of Plato^ Xenophon^ and Cicero : of which 
kinde of learnyng, and right Imitation therof, Carohs Sigonius 
hath written of late, both learnedlie and eloquentlie : but best 
of all my frende loan. Sturtnius in hys Commentaries vpon 
Gorgias Platonh^ which booke I haue in writyng, and is not yet 
set out in Print. 

[Hum'ile. 
Oratonum in -, Mediocre. 
\ Sublime. 

Examples of these three, in the Greke tong, be plentiful! & 
perfite, as Lycias, Isocrates, and Demosthenes: and 
all three, in onelie Demosthenes^ in diuerse orations "^"-f- 
as contra Olimpiodorum^ in leptinem^ iif pro Ctesi- 
phonte. And trew it is, that Hermogines writeth 
of De}nosthe>i€s^ that all formes of Eloquence be perfite in him. 
In Ciceroes Orations, IHediimi ^ suhlimc be most 
excellentlie handled, but Humile in his Orations, 
is seldome sene : yet neuerthelesse in other bookes, as in some 
part of his offices, & specially in Partitionibus^ he is comparable 
in hoc humili & disciplinabili genere^ euen with the best that euer 



2 86 T'he second booke teachyng 

wrote in Greke. But of Cicero more fullie in fitter place. And 
thus, the trew difference of stiles, in euerie Author, and euerie 
kinde of learnyng may easelie be knowne by this diuision. 



in Genus 



' Poeticum. 
Histoi'icum. 
Philosophicum. 
Oratorium. 



Which I thovight in this place to touch onelie, not to 
prosecute at large, bicause, God willyng, in the Latin tong, 
I will fullie handle it, in my booke de Imitatione. 

Now, to touch more particularlie, which of those Authors, 
that be now most commonlie in mens handes, will sone afFourd 
you some peece of Eloquence, and what maner a peece of 
eloquence, and what is to be liked and folowed, and what to 
be misliked and eschewed in them : and how some agayne will 
furnish you fully withall, rightly, and wisely considered, som- 
what I will write as I haue heard Syr Ihon Cheke many tymes 
say. 

The Latin tong, concerning any part of purenesse of it, 
from the spring, to the decay of the same, did not endure moch 
longer, than is the life of a well aged man, scarse one hundred 
yeares from the tyme of the last Scipio Jfricanus and Ltelius^ to 
the Empire of Augustus. And it is notable, that f^elleius Pater- 
culus writeth of Tw/AV, how that the perfection of eloquence did 
so remayne onelie in him and in his time, as before him, were 
few, which might moch delight a man, or after him any, worthy 
admiration, but soch as TuUie might haue scene, and such as 
might haue scene TuUie. And good cause why : for no perfec- 
tion is durable. Encrease hath a time, & decay likewise, but 
all perfit ripenesse remaineth but a momet: as is plainly seen 
in fruits, plummes and cherries : but more sensibly in flowers, 
as Roses li such like, and yet as trewlie in all greater matters. 
For what naturallie, can go no hier, must naturallie yeld & 
stoupe againe. 

Of this short tyme of any purenesse of the Latin tong, for 
the first fortie yeare of it, and all the tyme before, we haue no 
peece of learning left, saue Plautus and Terence., with a litle 
rude vnperfit pamflet of the elder Cato. And as for Plautus., 
except the scholemaster be able to make wise and ware choice. 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 287 

first in proprietie of wordes, than in framing of Phrases and 
sentences, and chieflie in choice of honestie of matter, your 
scholer were better to play, the learne all that is in him. But 
surelie, if iudgement for the tong, and direction for the maners, 
be wisely ioyned with the diligent reading of Plautus^ than 
trewlie Plautus, for that purenesse of the Latin tong in Rome, 
whan Rome did most florish in wel doing, and so thereby, in 
well speaking also, is soch a plentifull storehouse, for common 
eloquence, in meane matters, and all priuate mens affaires, as 
the Latin tong, for that respect, hath not the like agayne. 
Whan I remember the worthy tyme of Rome, wherein Plantus 
did liue, I must nedes honor the talke of that tyme, which we 
see Plautus doth vse. 

Terence is also a storehouse of the same tong, for an other 
tyme, following soone after, & although he be not so fijll & 
plentiful as Plautus is, for multitude of matters, & diuersitie of 
wordes, yet his wordes, be chosen so purelie, placed so orderly, 
and all his stuffe so neetlie packed vp, and wittely compassed in 
euerie place, as, by all wise mens iudgement, he is counted the 
cunninger workeman, and to haue his shop, for the rowme that 
is in it, more finely appointed, and trimlier ordered, than 
Plautus is. 

Three thinges chiefly, both in Plautus and Terence^ are to 
be specially considered. The matter, the vtterance, the words, 
the meter. The matter in both, is altogether within the 
compasse of the meanest mens maners, and doth not stretch 
to any thing of any great weight at all, but standeth chiefly in 
vtteryng the thoughtes and conditions of hard fathers, foolish 
mothers, vnthrifty yong men, craftie seruantes, sotle bawdes, 
and wilie harlots, and so, is moch spent, in finding out fine 
fetches, and packing vp pelting matters, soch as in London 
commonlie cum to the hearing of the Masters of Bridewell. 
Here is base stuffe for that scholer, that should becum hereafter, 
either a good minister in Religion, or a Ciuill lentleman in 
seruice of his Prince and contrie : except the preacher do know 
soch matters to confute them, whan ignorance surelie in all soch 
thinges were better for a Ciuill lentleman, than knowledge. 
And thus, for matter, both Plautus and Terence^ be like meane 
painters, that worke by halfes, and be cunning onelie, in making 
the worst part of the picture, as if one were skilfull in painting 



288 The second booke teachyng 

the bodie of a naked person, from the naucll downward, but 
nothing else. 

For word and speach, Plautus is more plentifull, and Terence 
more pure and proper : And for one respect, Terence is to be 
embraced aboue all that euer wrote in hys kinde of argument : 
Bicause it is well known, by good recorde of learning, and that 
by Ciceroes owne witnes that some Comedies bearyng Terence 
name, were written by worthy Scipio, and wise L^elius, and 
namely Heauton : and Adelphi. And therefore as oft as I reade 
those Comedies, so oft doth sound in myne eare, the pure fine 
talke of Rome, which was vsed by the floure of the worthiest 
nobilitie that euer Rome bred. Let the wisest man, and best 
learned that liueth, read aduisedlie ouer, the first scene of 
Heauton^ and the first scene of Adelphi^ and let him consideratlie 
iudge, whether it is the talke of a seruile stranger borne, or 
rather euen that milde eloquent wise speach, which Cicero in 
Brutus doth so liuely expresse in Lalius. And yet neuerthelesse, 
in all this good proprietie of wordes, and purenesse of phrases 
which be in Terence^ ye must not follow him alwayes in placing 
of them, bicause for the meter sake, some wordes in him, 
somtyme, be driuen awrie, which require a straighter placing in 
plaine prose, if ye will forme, as I would ye should do, your 
speach and writing, to that excellent perfitnesse, which was 
onely in Tullie^ or onelie in Tullics tyme. 

The meter and verse oi Plautus and TerencehQ verie meane, 

and not to be followed : which is not their reproch, 
Meter in ^ j^ ^ j ^f jj^g tyme, wherein they wrote, whan 

Terence. no kmde or roetrie, m the Latin tong, was brought 

to perfection, as doth well appeare in the fragmentes 
of Enn'ius^ Ccec'iUus^ and others, and euidentlie in Plautus Sc 
Terence., if thies in Latin be compared with right skil, with Homer., 
Euripidesy Aristophanes., and other in Grceke of like sort. Cicero 
him selfe doth complaine of this vnperfitnes, but more plainly 
Quiniilian., saying, in Coma^dia niaxime claudicamus., et vix leuem 
consequimur vmbram : and most earnestly of all Horace in Arte 
Poetica., which he doth namely propter carmen lamhicutn., and 
referreth all good studentes herein to the Imitation of the Greeke 
tong, saying. 

Exemplaria Graca 
noSiurna versate manu., versate diurna. 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 289 

This matter maketh me gladly remember, my sweete tyme 
spent at Cambrige, and the pleasant talke which I had oft with 
M. Cheke^ and M. Watson^ of this fault, not onely in the olde 
Latin Poets, but also in our new English Rymers at this day. 
They wished as Virgil and Horace were not wedded to follow 
the faultes of former fathers (a shrewd mariage in greater 
matters) but by right Imitation of the perfit Grecias, had 
brought Poetrie to perfitnesse also in the Latin tong, that we 
Englishmen likewise would acknowledge and vnderstand right- 
fully our rude beggerly ryming, brought first into Italic by 
Gothes and Hunnes^ whan all good verses and all good learning 
to, were destroyd by them : and after caryed into France and 
Germanic : and at last receyued into England by men of 
excellent wit in deede, but of small learning, and lesse iudge- 
ment in that behalfe. 

But now, when men know the difference, and haue the 
examples, both of the best, and of the worst, surelie, to follow 
rather the Gothes in Ryming, than the Greekes in trew versifiyng, 
were euen to eate ackornes with swyne, when we may freely 
eate wheate bread emonges men. In deede, Cbauser, Th. 
Norton^ of Bristow, my L. of Surrey, M. Wiat^ Th. Phaer^ 
and other lentlemen, sn translating Ouide, Pa/ingenius, and 
Seneca, haue gonne as farre to their great praise, as the copie 
they followed could cary them, but, if soch good wittes, and 
forward diligence, had bene directed to follow the best examples, 
and not haue bene caryed by tyme and custome, to content 
themselues with that barbarous and rude Ryming, emonges 
their other worthy praises, which they haue iustly deserued, 
this had not bene the least, to be counted emonges men of 
learning and skill, more like vnto the Grecians, than vnto the 
Gothians, in handling of their verse. 

In deed, our English tong, hauing in vse chiefly, wordes of 
one syllable which commonly be long, doth not well receiue the 
nature of Carmen Heroicum, bicause da^ylus, the aptest foote 
for that verse, coteining one long & two short, is seldom there- 
fore found in English : and doth also rather stumble than stand 
vpon Monosyllabis. Quintilian in hys learned Chapiter c^-« 
de Compositione, geueth this lesson de Monosyllabis, "^^ 
before me : and in the same place doth iustlie inuey against all 
Ryming, that if there be any, who be angrie with me, for 



290 T'he second booke teachyng 

misliking of Ryming, may be angry for company to, with 
QuintiUan also, for the same thing : And yet Quintilian had 
not so iust cause to mislike of it than, as me haue at this day. 

And although Carmen Exametrum doth rather trotte and 
hoble, than runne smothly in our English tong, yet I am sure, 
our English tong will receiue carmen lambicum as naturallie, as 
either Greke or Latin. But for ignorance, men ca not like, & 
for idlenes, men will not labor, to cum to any perfitenes at all. 
For, as the worthie Poetes in Athens and Rome., were more 
carefull to satisfie the iudgement of one learned, than rashe in 
pleasing the humor of a rude multitude, euen so if men in 
England now, had the like reuerend regard to learning skill and 
iudgement, and durst not presume to write, except they came 
with the like learnyng, and also did vse like diligence, in 
searchyng out, not onelie iust measure in euerie meter, as euerie 
ignorant person may easely do, but also trew quantitie in euery 
foote and sillable, as onelie the learned shalbe able to do, and as 
the Grekes and Romanes were wont to do, surelie than rash 
ignorant heads, which now can easely recken vp fourten sillables, 
and easelie stumble on euery Ryme, either durst not, for lacke 
of such learnyng : or els would not, in auoyding such labor, be 

■_^-^^ so busie, as euerie where they be : and shoppes in 

*^ London should not be so full of lewd and rude 
rymes, as commonlie they are. But now, the ripest of tong, 
be readiest to write : And many dayly in setting out bookes and 
balettes make great shew of blossomes and buddes, in whom is 
neither, roote of learning, nor frute of wisedome at all. Some that 
make Chaucer in English and Petrarch in Italian., their Gods in 
verses, and yet be not able to make trew difference, what is 
a fault, and what is a iust prayse, in those two worthie wittes, 
will moch mislike this my writyng. But such men be euen 
like followers of Chaucer and Petrarke., as one here in England 
did folow Syr Tho. More : who, being most vnlike vnto him, in 
wit and learnyng, neuertheles in wearing his gowne awrye vpon 
the one shoulder, as Syr Tho. More was wont to do, would 
nedes be counted lyke vnto him. 

This mislikyng of Ryming, beginneth not now of any 
newfangle singularitie, but hath bene long misliked of many, 
and that of men, of greatest learnyng, and deepest iudgemet. 
And soch, that defend it, do so, either for lacke of knowledge 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 291 

what is best, or els of verie enuie, that any should performe that 
in learnyng, whereunto they, as I sayd before, either for 
ignorance, can not, or for idlenes will not, labor to attaine vnto. 

And you that prayse this Ryming, bicause ye neither haue 
reason, why to like it, nor can shew learning to defend it, yet I 
will helpe you, with the authoritie of the oldest and learnedst 
tyme. In Grece^ whan Poetrie was euen at the hiest pitch of per- 
fitnes, one Simmias Rhodius of a certaine singularitie wrote a 
booke in ryming Greke verses, naming it woi/, conteyning the 
fable, how lupiter in likenes of a swan, gat that egge vpon Leda, 
whereof came Castor^ Pollux and faire Elena. This booke was 
so liked, that it had iew to read it, but none to folow it : 
But was presentlie contemned : and sone after, both Author and 
booke, so forgotten by men, and consumed by tyme, as scarse 
the name of either is kept in memorie of learnyng: And the like 
folic was neuer folowed of any, many hondred yeares after 
vntill ye Hunnes and Gothians^ and other barbarous nations, of 
ignorance and rude singularitie, did reuiue the same folie agayne. 

The noble Lord Th. Earle of Surrey, first of all English 
men, in traslating the fourth booke of Virgill: The Earle of 
and Gonsaluo Periz that excellent learned man, Surrey. 
and Secretarie to kyng Philip of Spaine, in Gonsaluo 
translating the Vlisses of Homer out of Greke into Pe>-iz- 
Spanish^ haue both, by good iudgement, auoyded the fault of 
Ryming, yet neither of them hath fullie hite perfite and trew 
versifiyng. In deede, they obserue iust number, and euen feete : 
but here is the fault, that their feete : be feete without ioyntes, 
that is to say, not distinct by trew quantitie of sillables: And so, 
soch feete, be but numme feete : and be, eue as vnfitte for 
a verse to turne and runne roundly withall, as feete of brasse or 
wood be vnweeldie to go well withall. And as a foote of wood, 
is a plaine shew of a manifest maime, euen so feete, in our 
English versifiing, without quatitie and ioyntes, be sure signes, 
that the verse is either, borne deformed, vnnaturall and lame, 
and so verie vnseemlie to looke vpon, except to men that be 
gogle eyed the selues. 

The spying of this fault now is not the curiositie of English 
eyes, but euen the good iudgement also of the best ^^„^j.^ 
that write in these dayes in Italie : and namelie of Felke 
that worthie Senese Felice Figliucci^ who, writyng FigUucci. 

T 2 



292 T'he second booke teachyng 

vpon Aristotles Ethickes so excellentlie in Italian^ as neuer did yet 
any one in myne opinion either in Greke or Latin^ amongest 
other thynges doth most earnestlie inuey agaynst the rude 
ryming of verses in that tong : And whan soeuer he expresseth 
Aristotles preceptes, with any example, out of Homer or 
Euripides^ he translateth them, not after the Rymes of Petrarke^ 
but into soch kinde of perfite verse, with like feete and quantitic 
of sillables, as he found them before in the Greke tonge : ex- 
hortyng earnestlie all the Italian nation, to leaue of their rude 
barbariousnesse in ryming, and folow diligently the excellent 
Greke and Latin examples, in trew versifiyng. 

And you, that be able to vnderstand no more, then ye finde 
in the Italian tong : and neuer went farder than the schole of 
Petrarke and Ariostus abroad, or els of Chaucer at home though 
you haue pleasure to wander blindlie still in your foule wrong 
way, enuie not others, that seeke, as wise men haue done before 
them, the fairest and rightest way : or els, beside the iust 
reproch of malice, wisemen shall trewlie iudge, that you do so, 
as I haue sayd and say yet agayne vnto you, bicause, either, for 
idlenes ye will not, or for ignorance ye can not, cum by no 
better your selfe. 

And therfore euen as Virgill and Horace deserue most 
worthie prayse, that they spying the vnperfitnes in Ennius and 
Plautus^ by trew Imitation of Homer and Euripides^ brought 
Poetrie to the same perfitnes in Latin ^ as it was in Greke^ euen 
so those, that by the same way would benefite their tong 
and contrey, deserue rather thankes than disprayse in that 
behalfe. 

And I reioyce, that euen poore England preuented Italic^ 
first in spying out, than in seekyng to amend this fault in 
learnyng. 

And here, for my pleasure I purpose a litle, by the way, to 
play and sporte with my Master Tully : from whom commonlie 
I am neuer wont to dissent. He him selfe, for this point of 
learnyng, in his verses doth halt a litle by his leaue. He could 
not denie it, if he were aliue, nor those defend hym now that 
_ ... loue him best. This fault I lay to his charge : 

saying a- bicause once it pleased him, though somwhat 

gainst Eng- merelie, yet oueruncurteslie, to rayle vpon poore 

^^^^' England, obiecting both, extreme beggerie, and 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 293 

mere barbariousnes vnto it, writyng thus vnto his frend Atticus : 
There is not one scruple of siluer in that whole ^d Att. 
Isle, or any one that knoweth either learnyng or Lib. iv. Ep. 
letter. ^^■ 

But now master Cicero^ blessed be God, and his sonne lesu 
Christ, whom you neuer knew, except it were as it pleased him 
to lighten you by some shadow, as couertlie in one place ye 
cofesse sayinp; : yeritatis tantum vmbra consectamur, 
as your Master Plato did before you : blessed be ' 

God, I say, that sixten hudred yeare after you were dead and 
gone, it may trewly be sayd, that for siluer, there is more 
cumlie plate, in one Citie of England, than is in foure of the 
proudest Cities in all Italie^ and take Kome for one of them. 
And for learnyng, beside the knowledge of all learned tongs and 
liberall sciences, euen your owne bookes Cicero^ be as well read, 
and your excellent eloquence is as well liked and loued, and as 
trewlie folowed in England at this day, as it is now, or euer 
was, sence your owne tyme, in any place of Italie^ either at 
Arpinum^ where ye were borne, or els at Rome where ye were 
brought vp. And a litle to brag with you Cicero^ where you 
your selfe, by your leaue, halted in some point of learnyng in 
your owne tong, many in England at this day go streight vp, 
both in trewe skill, and right doing therein. 

This I write, not to reprehend Tullie^ whom, aboue all 
other, I like and loue best, but to excuse Terence^ because in his 
tyme, and a good while after, Poetrie was neuer perfited in 
Latin^ vntill by trew Imitation of the Grecians, it was at length 
brought to perfection : And also thereby to exhorte the goodlie 
wittes of England, which apte by nature, & willing by desire, 
geue the selues to Poetrie, that they, rightly vnderstanding the 
barbarous bringing in of Rymes, would labor, as Virgil and 
Horace did in Latin, to make perfit also this point of learning, 
in our English tong. 

And thus much for Plautus and Terence^ for matter, tong, and 
meter, what is to be followed, and what to be exchewed in them. 

After Plautus and Terence^ no writing remayneth vntill 
Tullies tyme, except a fewe short fragmentes of L. Crassus 
excellent wit, here and there recited of Cicero for example sake, 
whereby the louers of learnyng may the more lament the losse 
of soch a worthie witte. 



294 '^^^ second booke teachyng 

And although the Latin tong did faire blome and blossome 
in L. Crassus^ and M. Antonius^ yet in TidUes tyme onely, and 
in Tullie himselfe chieflie, was the Latin tong fullie ripe, and 
growne to the hiest pitch of all perfection. 

And yet in the same tyme, it began to fade and stoupe, as 
Tullie him selfe, in Brutus de Claris Oratoribus^ with weeping 
wordes doth witnesse. 

And bicause, emongs them of that tyme, there was some 
difference, good reason is, that of them of that tyme, should be 
made right choice also. And yet let the best Ciceronian in 
Italic read TuUies familiar epistles aduisedly ouer, and I beleue 
he shall finde small difference, for the Latin tong, either in 
propriety of wordes or framing of the stile, betwixt Tullie^ and 
those that write vnto him. As ser, Sulpitius^ A. Cccinna^ 
M. Ccelius^ M. et D. Bruti^ A. PoUio^ L. Plancus^ and diuerse 
Epi. Planci Other : read the epistles of L. Plancus in x. Lib. 

X. lib. Epist. and for an assay, that Epistle namely to the Coss. 
8- and whole Senate., the eight Epistle in number, 

and what could be, eyther more eloquentlie, or more wiselie 
written, yea by Tullie himselfe, a man may iustly doubt. Thies 
men and Tullie^ liued all in one tyme, were like in authoritie, 
not vnlike in learning and studie, which might be iust causes of 
this their equalitie in writing : And yet surely, they neyther 
were in deed, nor yet were counted in mens opinions, equall 
with Tullie in that facultie. And how is the difference hid in 
his Epistles ? verelie, as the cunning of an expert Sea man, in 
a faire calme fresh Ryuer, doth litle differ from the doing of 
a meaner workman therein, euen so, in the short cut of a 
priuate letter, where, matter is common, wordes easie, and 
order not moch diuerse, small shew of difference can appeare. 
But where Tullie doth set vp his saile of eloquence, in some 
broad deep Argument, caried with full tyde and winde, of his 
witte and learnyng, all other may rather stand and looke after 
him, than hope to ouertake him, what course so euer he hold, 
either in faire or foule. Foure men onely whan the Latin tong 
was full ripe, be left vnto vs, who in that tyme did florish, and 
did leaue to posteritie, the fruite of their witte and learning : 
Farro., Salust, C^sar^ and Cicero. Whan I say, these foure 
onely, I am not ignorant, that euen in the same tyme, most 
excellent Poetes, deseruing well of the Latin tong, as Lucretius, 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 295 

Cattullus^ Virgin and Horace^ did write: But, bicause, in this 
litle boolce, I purpose to teach a yong scholer, to go, not to 
daunce: to speake, not to sing, whan Poetes in deed, namelie 
Epici and Lyrici^ as these be, are fine dauncers, and trime 
singers, but Oratores and Historici be those cumlie goers, and 
faire and wise speakers, of whom I wishe my scholer to wayte 
vpon first, and after in good order, & dew tyme, to be brought 
forth, to the singing and dauncing schole : And for this consi- 
deration, do I name these foure, to be the oneHe writers of that 
tyme. 

1 Varro. 

Varro^ in his bookes de lingua Latina^ et Analogia as these be 
left mangled and patched vnto vs, doth not enter 
there in to any great depth of eloquence, but as 
one caried in a small low vessell him selfe verie nie the common 
shore, not much vnlike the fisher me of Rye, and Hering men 
of Yarmouth. Who deserue by common mens opinion, small 
commendacion, for any cunning saling at all, yet neuertheles 
in those bookes of Varro good and necessarie stuffe, for that 
meane kinde of Argument, be verie well and learnedlie gathered 
togither. 

His bookes of Husbandrie, are moch to be regarded, and 
diligentlie to be read, not onelie for the proprietie, 
but also for the plentie of good wordes, in all t^^ .-^P" 
contrey and husbandmens affaires: which can not 
be had, by so good authoritie, out of any other Author, either 
of so good a tyme, or of so great learnyng, as out of Varro. 
And yet bicause, he was fourescore yeare old, whan he wrote 
those bookes, the forme of his style there compared with TulUes 
writyng, is but euen the talke of a spent old man : whose 
wordes commonlie fall out of his mouth, though verie wiselie, 
yet hardly and coldie, and more heauelie also, than some eares 
can well beare, except onelie for age, and authorities sake. And 
perchance, in a rude contrey argument, of purpose and iudge- 
ment, he rather vsed, the speach of the contrey, than talke of 
the Citie. 

And so, for matter sake, his wordes sometyme, be somewhat 
rude: and by the imitation of the elder Cato^ old and out of vse: 



296 I' he second booke teachyng 

And beyng depe stept in age, by negligence some wordes do so 
scape & fall from him in those bookes, as be not worth the 

taking vp, by him, that is carefiill to speake or 
(-.^ ■ ^j' write trew Latin, as that sentence in him, Romania 

in pace a rusticis alebantur^ et in hello ab his tuebantur. 

A good student must be therfore carefull and diligent, to read 

with iudgement ouer euen those Authors, which did write in the 

most perlite tyme: and let him not be afFrayd to trie them, 

both in proprietie of wordes, and forme of style, by the touch 

stone of Caesar and Cicero^ whose puritie was neuer soiled, no 

not by the sentence of those, that loued them worst. 

All louers of learnyng may sore lament the losse of those 

rru 1 bookes of Farro, which he wrote in his vong and 

The loue . • , j 1 j \ ^ 

of Var- lustie yeares, with good leysure, and great learnyng 

roes of all partes of Philosophic: of the goodliest argu- 

es. mentes, perteyning both to the common wealth, 

and priuate life of man, as, de Ratione studij^ et educandis liberis, 

which booke, is oft recited, and moch praysed, in the fragmentes 

of Nonius^ euen for authoritie sake. He wrote most diligentlie 

and largelie, also the whole historic of the state of Ro?ne: the 

mysteries of their whole Religion: their lawes, customes, and 

gouernement in peace: their maners, and whole discipline in 

warre: And this is not my gessing, as one in deed that neuer 

saw those bookes, but euen, the verie iudgement, & playne 

testimonie of Tullie him selfe, who knew & read those bookes, 

in these wordes: 'Tu cetatem Patrice: Tu descriptiones temporum: 

Tu sacrorum^ tu sacerdotum lura : Tu domesticam^ 
Q ^^ ' tu bellicam disciplinam : Tu sedem Regionum^ locorum^ 

tu omnium diuinarurn humanarumg^ reru nomina^ 
genera^ ojfficia^ causas aperuisti. i^c. 

But this great losse of Varro^ is a litle recompensed by the 
happy comming of Dionysius Halicarnassceus to Rotne in 
Augustus dayes: who getting the possession of Varros librarie, 
out of that treasure house of learning, did leaue vnto vs some 
frute of Varros witte and diligence, I meane, his goodlie bookes 
de Antiquitatibus Romanorum. Varro was so estemed for his 
excellent learnyng, as Tullie him selfe had a reuerence to his 

iudgement in all doutes of learnyng. And 
Cic. ad Antonius Triumuir, his enemie, and of a contrarie 

A 4-f ^ 7 ^ 1 

faction, who had power to kill and bannish whom 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 297 

he listed, whan Varros name amongest others was brought in a 
schedule vnto him, to be noted to death, he tooke his penne and 
wrote his warrant of sauegard with these most goodlie wordes, 
V'luat Varro v'lr doSiissimiis. In later tyme, no man knew better, 
nor liked and loued more Farros learnyng, than did S. Augustine^ 
as they do well vnderstand, that haue diligentlie read ouer his 
learned bookes de Ciidtate Dei: Where he hath this most 
notable sentece : Whan I see, how much Varro wrote, I 
meruell much, that euer he had any leasure to read : and whan 
I perceiue how many thinges he read, I meruell more, that euer 
he had any leasure to write. &c. 

And surelie, if Farros bookes had remained to posteritie, as 
by Gods prouidence, the most part of Tullies did, than trewlie 
the Latin tong might haue made good comparison with the 
Greke. 

Saluste. 

Sa/ust^ is a wise and worthy writer : but he requireth 
a learned Reader, and a right considerer of him. 
My dearest frend, and best master that euer I had -S^^^^^- 
or heard in learning, Syr /. Cheke^ soch a man, as Syr lohn 
if I should Hue to see England breed the like Chekes 
againe, I feare, I should liue ouer long, did once and coun- 
giue me a lesson for Salust^ which, as I shall neuer sell for rea- 
forget my selfe, so is it worthy to be remembred ^y"g ^^ 
of all those, that would cum to perfite iudgement 
of the Latin tong. He said, that Salust was not verie fitte for 
yong men, to learne out of him, the puritie of the Latin tong : 
because, he was not the purest in proprietie of wordes, nor 
choisest in aptnes of phrases, nor the best in framing of 
sentences : and therefore is his writing, sayd he neyther plaine 
for the matter, nor sensible for mens vnderstanding. And what 
is the cause thereof, Syr, quoth L Verilie said he, bicause in 
Salust writing, is more Arte than nature, and more labor than 
Arte : and in his labor also, to moch toyle, as it were, with an 
vncontented care to write better than he could, a fault common 
to very many men. And therefore he doth not expresse the 
matter liuely and naturally with common speach as ye see 
Xenophon doth in Greeke, but it is caried and driuen forth 



298 The second booke teachyng 

artificialHe, after to learned a sorte, as Thucydides doth in his 
orations. And how cummeth it to passe, sayd I, that Casar 
and Ciceroes talke, is so natural! & plaine, and Salust writing so 
artificiall and darke, whan all they three lined in one tyme ? 
I will freelie tell you my fansie herein, said he : surely, Ccesar 
and Cicero^ beside a singular prerogatiue of naturall eloquence 
geuen vnto them by God, both two, by vse of life, were daylie 
orators emonges the common people, and greatest councellers in 
the Senate house : and therefore gaue themselues to vse soch 
speach as the meanest should well vnderstand, and the wisest 
best allow : folowing carefullie that good councell of Aristotle^ 
loquendum vt multi^ sapiendum vt pauci. Salust was no soch man, 
neyther for will to goodnes, nor skill by learning : but ill geuen 
by nature, and made worse by bringing vp, spent the most part 
of his yougth very misorderly in ryot and lechery. In the 
company of soch, who, neuer geuing theyr mynde to honest 
doyng, could neuer inure their tong to wise speaking. But at 
last cummyng to better yeares, and hying witte at the dearest 
hand, that is, by long experience of the hurt and shame that 
commeth of mischeif, moued, by the councell of them that 
were wise, and caried by the example of soch as were good, 
first fell to honestie of life, and after to the loue of studie and 
learning : and so became so new a man, that Caesar being 
dictator, made him Pretor in Numidia where he absent from his 
contrie, and not inured with the common talke of Rome, but 
shut vp in his studie, and bent wholy to reading, did write the 
storie of the Romanes. And for the better accomplishing of 
the same, he red Cato and Piso in Latin for gathering of matter 
and troth : and Thucydides in Greeke for the order of his storie, 
and furnishing of his style. Cato (as his tyme required) had 
more troth for the matter, than eloquence for the style. And 
so Salust^ by gathering troth out of Cato^ smelleth moch of the 
roughnes of his style : euen as a man that eateth garlike for 
helth, shall cary away with him the sauor of it also, whether he 
will or not. And yet the vse of old wordes is not the greatest 
cause of Salustes roughnes and darknesse : There be in Salust 
y ., g some old wordes in deed as patrare helium^ duSiare 

Cap. 3. exercitum^ well noted by Quintilian^ and verie 

De Orna- much misliked of him : and supplkium for suppli- 

"■ catio^ a word smellyng of an older store, than the 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 299 

other two so misliked by Quint : And yet is that word also in 
Varro^ speaking of Oxen thus, boms ad v'Uiimas faciunt^ at a ad 
Deorum suppUcia : and a few old wordes mo. Read Saluste and 
TulUe aduisedly together : and in wordes ye shall finde small 
difference : yea Salust is more geuen to new wordes, than to 
olde, though som olde writers say the contrarie : as Claritudo 
for Gloria : exaSi} for perfecle : Facund'ia for eloquentia. Thies 
two last wordes exaife and facund'ia now in euery mans mouth, 
be neuer (as I do remember) vsed of TulUe^ and therefore 
I thinke they be not good : For surely TuUie speaking euery 
where so moch of the matter of eloquence, would not so 
precisely haue absteyned from the word Facund'ia^ if it had 
bene good : that is proper for the tong, & common for mens 
vse. I could be long, in reciting many soch like, both olde & 
new wordes in Salust : but in very dede neyther oldnes nor 
newnesse of wordes maketh the greatest difference The cause why 
betwixt Salust and Tullie^ but first strange phrases Salust is not 
made of good Latin wordes, but framed after the Tully. 

Greeke tonge, which be neyther choisly borowed of them, nor 
properly vsed by him : than, a hard composition and crooked 
framing of his wordes and sentences, as a man would say, 
English talke placed and framed outlandish like. As for 
example first in phrases, nimius et animus be two vsed wordes, 
yet homo nimius animi^ is an vnused phrase. Vulgus^ et amat^ et 
fieri^ be as common and well known wordes as may be in the 
Latin tong, yet id quod vulgb amat fieri^ for solet fieri ^ is but 
a strange and grekish kind of writing. Ingens et vires be 
proper wordes, yet vir ingens virium is an vnproper kinde of 
speaking and so be likewise, 

{^ger consilij. 
promptissimus belli, 
territus animi. 

and many soch like phrases in Salust^ borowed as I sayd not 
choisly out of Greeke, and vsed therefore vnproperlie in Latin. 
Againe, in whole sentences, where the matter is good, the 
wordes proper and plaine, yet the sense is hard and darke, and 
namely in his prefaces and orations, wherein he vsed most 
labor, which fault is likewise in Thucydides in Greeke, of whom 
Salust hath taken the greatest part of his darkenesse. For 



300 The secotid booke teachyng 

Thucydides likewise wrote his storie, not at home in Grece, but 
abrode in Italie, and therefore smelleth of a certaine outlandish 
kinde of talke, strange to them of Athens^ and diuerse from their 
writing, that liued in Athens and Grece, and wrote the same 
tyme that Thucydides did, as LysiaSy Xenophon^ Plato^ and 
IsocrateSy the purest and playnest writers, that euer wrote in any 
tong, and best examples for any man to follow whether he 
write, Latin, Italian, French, or English. Thucydides also 
semeth in his writing, not so much benefited by nature, as 
holpen by Arte, and caried forth by desire, studie, labor, toyle, 
and ouer great curiositie : who spent xxvii. yeares in writing his 
eight bookes of his history. Salust likewise wrote out of his 
„. contrie, and followed the faultes of Thuc. to 

Halycar. moch : and boroweth of him som kinde of writing, 

ad Q. which the Latin tong can not well beare, as Casus 

H t Th nominatiuus in diuerse places absolute positus^ as in 

that place of lugurth^ speaking de leptitanisy itaa ah 
imperatore facile qua; petebant adeptly viisste sunt eh cohortes ligurum 
quatuor. This thing in participles, vsed so oft in Thucyd. and other 
Greeke authors to, may better be borne with all, but Salust vseth 
the same more strangelie and boldlie, as in thies wordes, Multis 
sibi quisg imperium petentibus. I beleue, the best Grammarien in 
England can scarse giue a good reule, why quisg the nominatiue 
case, without any verbe, is so thrust vp amongest so many 
oblique cases. Some man perchance will smile, and laugh to 
scorne this my writyng, and call it idle curiositie, thus to busie 
my selfe in pickling about these small pointes of Grammer, not 
fitte for my age, place and calling, to trifle in : I trust that man, 
be he neuer so great in authoritie, neuer so wise and learned, 
either, by other mens iudgement, or his owne opinion, will yet 
thinke, that he is not greater in England, than Tullie was at 
Rome^ not yet wiser, nor better learned than Tullie was him 
selfe, who, at the pitch of three score yeares, in the middes of 
the broyle betwixt Caesar and Pompeie^ whan he knew not, 
whether to send wife & children, which way to go, where to 
hide him selfe, yet, in an earnest letter, amongest his earnest 
Ad Att. councelles for those heuie tymes concerning both 

Lib. 7. Epi- the common state of his contrey, and his owne 
stola. 3. priuate great affaires he was neither vnmyndfull 

nor ashamed to reason at large, and learne gladlie of Jtticus, 



the ready way to the Latin tong. 301 

a lesse point of Grammer than these be, noted of me in Salust^ 
as, whether he should write, ad P'tr^ea^ in Pir^ea^ or in 
Pir<£eum^ or Pir^eum sine pra:positione : And in those heuie 
tymes, he was so carefull to know this small point of Grammer, 
that he addeth these wordes Si hoc mihi ^rjrrjfia persolueris^ 
magna me 7nolestia liberaris. If Tullie^ at that age, in that 
authoritie, in that care for his contrey, in that ieoperdie for him 
selfe, and extreme necessitie of hys dearest frendes, beyng also 
the Prince of Eloquence hym selfe, was not ashamed to descend 
to these low pointes of Grammer, in his owne naturall tong, 
what should scholers do, yea what should any man do, if he do 
thinke well doyng, better than ill doyng : And had rather be, 
perfite than meane, sure than doutefull, to be what he should 
be, in deed, not seeme what he is not, in opinion. He that 
maketh perfitnes in the Latin tong his marke, must cume to it 
by choice & certaine knowledge, not stumble vpon it by chance 
and doubtfull ignorance : And the right steppes to reach vnto it, 
be these, linked thus orderlie together, aptnes of nature, loue of 
learnyng, diligence in right order, constancie with pleasant 
moderation, and alwayes to learne of them that be best, and so 
shall you iudge as they that be wisest. And these be those 
reules, which worthie Master Cheke dyd impart vnto me con- 
cernyng Salust^ and the right iudgement of the Latin tong. 

IF Caesar. 

Caesar for that litle of him, that is left vnto vs, is like the 
halfe face of a FenuSy the other part of the head beyng hidden, 
the bodie and the rest of the members vnbegon, yet so 
excellentlie done by Apelles^ as all men may stand still to mase 
and muse vpon it, and no man step forth with any hope to 
performe the like. 

His seuen bookes de hello Gallico^ and three de hello Ciuili^ be 
written, so wiselie for the matter, so eloquentlie for the tong, 
that neither his greatest enemies could euer finde the least note 
of parcialitie in him (a meruelous wisdome of a man, namely 
writyng of his owne doynges) nor yet the best iudegers of the 
Latin tong, nor the most enuious lookers vpon other mes 
writynges, can say any other, but all things be most perfitelie 
done by him. 



302 T'he ready way to the Latin tong, 

Brutus^ Calum^ and Calidius^ who found fault with Tullies 
fulnes in woordes and matter, and that rightlie, for TuUie did 
both, confesse it, and mend it, yet in C<^sar^ they neither did, 
nor could finde the like, or any other fault. 

And therfore thus iustlie I may conclude of desar, that 
where, in all other, the best that euer wrote, in any tyme, or in 
any tong, in Greke or Latin^ I except neither Plato, Demosthenes, 
nor TuUie, some fault is iustlie noted, in desar onelie, could 
neuer yet fault be found. 

Yet neuertheles, for all this perfite excellencie in 

him, yet it is but in one member of eloquence, and 

that but of one side neither, whan we must 

looke for that example to folow, which hath 

a perfite head, a whole bodie, forward 

and backward, armes and 

legges and all. 



FINIS. 



ERRATA OF THE ORIGINAL COPIES. 



p. xix. 1. 13. Herhen for Hethen. 

p. 8 ]. 13 up. thinges, onelie for thinges onelie, p. 24 1. t6. some 
copies read, dealyng crafty /or dealyng, crafty p. 27 1. 12 up. stode, 
by ybr stode by, do doynge ybr doynge p. 30 1. 17. tymes : it for 

tymes it p. 33 1. 14. (and if jor and (if p. 46 1. 2. some 

copies read, health for welth p. 47 1. 10 up. some copies read, 

Pertians Jbr Parthians p. 48 1. 8 up. some copies read, ill wyll Jor 
euelwyll 1. 7 up. some copies read, open battayle for contention 
p. 56 1. 2 up. doch Jbr doth P- 5 7 last line, ye Jbr yet (as in 

ed. 15 71) p. 61 1. 5 up. shouthfulnesse ybr slouthfulnesse p. jz 
1. 3 up. \esse for leste p. 78 1. 16. that I for than I p. 80 

1. 3 up. peeces to farre Jor peeces, to farre 1. 2 up. drawynge, 
brake ybr drawynge brake p. 81 1. 26. bowe ybr A bowe (the catch- 
word on the previous page is And) p. 83 1. 16. yarde. for yarde, 
1. 9 up. woodes. as. ybr woodes, as, p. 85 1. 21. studdingyor scudding 
1. II up. conclude that, ybr conclude, that p. 86 1. 12 up. wyde 
some for wyde, some p. 89 1. 4 up. gouse, for gouse. last line, 
belonging/or belonging p. 91 1. 4 up. is,ybris p. 93 1. 2. Peno- 
lepe ybr Penelope p. 96 1. 4 up. ought, to for ought to p. 99 1. 29. 
hansomely, they _/or hansomely they p. 100 11. 13, 14. shootynge, is... 
shootynge but /or shootynge is... shootynge, but 1. 27. man, woulde 
for man woulde p. 105 1. 2. \efte for right 1. 12. ovribavav for 
ovTi8ai'6v p. 113 1. 8 up. worst ybr worst. p. IT4 1. 9. braye ybr 
braye, p. 115 1. 6 up. ieopardyt ybr ieopardye p. 116 1. 10 up. 
waies. ybr waies, p. 126 1. 4. First, point ybr First point 1. i5up. of 
in ybr of 1. 3 up. or in ybr in p. 128 last line, ceased, to for ceased 
to p. 130 1. 15. meaner yor meanes p. 133 1. 7. Fraunce. zs for 
Fraunce, as P- 137 1. 12 up. Gionan for Giouan p. 139 1. 11. it 
for it. 1. 15. y^ for y« p. 145 11. 20, 21. reproch whichyor reproch. 
Which 1. 9 up. doyng. Andybr doyng, and p. 146 marg. Kvpir. 
for Kvpov. p. 147 1. 8. Geeke ybr Greeke p. 148 1. 6. prodest yor 
poorest (?) p. 152 I. 6 up. Manrice for Maurice p. 153 1. 2 up. 

wife children /or wife, children p. 156 1. 5. dishinherite _/br disinherite 
1. 10 up. suspected. But ybr suspected, but p. 161 11. 23, 26. emig 
for einig p. 165 1, 7 up. y*' for y* p. 167 1. 8 up. Mauricus for 



304 Errata 



Maurus p. 168 1. 4. zxrj for my 1. 17. lesse ybr leste p. 178 
1. 12. concerning, the ybr concerning the 1. 5 up. frend. jTor frend, 
p. 186 1.8 up. Exardescere iov Exardescere. last line, abijcere ior abjicere 
p. 188 1. 4 up. yonge for yonge. p. 195 1. 5. I speaking yor in 
speaking(?) p. 195 1. 15. sadle /or sadle. 1. 20. learning: /or learning, 
p. 199 1. 10 up. werison for werisom p. 200 1. 4 up. God, for God 
p. 202 1. 7 up. withall for with all p. 204 1. i. Crtesus for Crcsnts 
p. 207 1. 18. greatie ybr greatlie p. 213 1. i. Eph : for Ephorus (as in 
ed. 1571) 1. 14 up. laie for sale p. 215 1. 2. Courte. for Courte, 
p. 224 1. 13 up. sillabes /or sillables (as elsewhere) 1. 12 up. verifiyng 
for versifiyng p. 228 1. 9 up. sutlie for suttle p. 231 1. 7. 
aduoulteres /or aduoulteries pp. 236 1. 11 up and 239 1. 12 up. with in 
for within p. 241 1. 7 up. so-ivne. for soivne, 1. 5 up. ill /or will 
(asin ed. 1571) p. 243 1. 2. all/or also (as in ed. 15 71) 1. i2marg. de. 
Or. for de Or. p. 244 marg. Epist. hb. 6, 7 li. Epist. /or Epist. lib. 7, 
Epist. 9. p. 247 1. 17. Iliodos for lUados marg. \. for 'IX. 1. 12 up. 
Andration for Androtion p. 249 1. 5 up. liuyng /or louyng p. 251 

I. 12 up. merauiiox meram 1. 10 up. (ivvra^iO'i for (rvvTii^iOi^ 1. 9 up. 
Candaulus for Candaules p. 253 last line, it Grammer /or it in Grammer 
(as in ed. 1571) p. 255 1. 13. de Rep for de Rep. p. 257 1. 11 up. 
Stalenus for Staienus p. 264 1. 16. plerunqj for plerumq^ p. 267 

II. 4, 5. materei for materiel (as in ed. 15 71) 1- 25. Erasmus., wishe for 
Erasmus w\she 1. 27. jEneados iox Aineidos p. 268 1. 14. cunnigest 

for cunningest (as in ed. 1571) p. 272 1. 19. Adriadna for Ar'iadna 
1. II up. Turmis for Turnus p. 273 1. 12 up. palce for place p. 276 
marg. Thucid. 10. /or Thucid. i. p. 280 1. 3 up. ^/or for Aper 

p. 282 1. 5 up. choselie /or choiselie 1. 3 up. portiacture /or portraic- 
ture p. 283 1. 7 up. Genus, for Genus p. 284 1. 6. Aristophanus 
for Aristophanes p. 285 1. 16. /'« Sermonem for Sermonem p. 286 
1. II. some yor sone p. 287 1. 8. storehose /or storehouse 1. 8 up. 
be cum /or becum p. 288 1. 8. Lilius iox La:lius 1. 11 up. Cerilius 
for Cafci/ius euidentie for euidentlie p. 289 1. 7 up. dastylus 

for dactylus 11. 3 and 4 up. Monasyllabis for Monosyllabis p. 290 

1. 19. sillabes /or sillables (pp. 291 1. 13 up, 292 1. 8) 1. 13 up. 
Petrach for Petrarch p. 291 1. 7. as /or at last line and marg. 

Figlincci for Figliucci p. 292 marg. Enland/or England p. 294 1. 15. 
Pollia for Pollio 11. 15, 16. Plaucus for Plancus marg. Plauci /or 
Planci p. 295 1. 3. (whan /or whan p. 296 1. 10. foiled for 
soiled p. 298 marg. ornata for ornatu p. 299 1. 3 up. oration 
for orations p. 301 1. 4 up. ludegers /or iudegers 



CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY J. AND C. F. CLAY, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. 



C 82 89 



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